WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
March Edition
Henri Jokiharju has missed the last six games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Defenseman Henri Jokiharju and some other injured Sabres could return for tonight’s home game against Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights, coach Don Granato said.
Jokiharju, out the last six games with a lower-body injury, practiced Wednesday in his regular spot beside defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Meanwhile, winger Zemgus Girgensons, out the last 16 games with a lower-body injury, skated on a line of extras with center Mark Jankowski and Anders Bjork inside ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner (53) and Alex Tuch (89) celebrate one of Skinner’s third-period goals Friday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When the Sabres signed winger Jeff Skinner to an eight-year, $72 million contract, they envisioned dynamic efforts like Friday’s late two-goal outburst in a thrilling 5-4 won over the Minnesota Wild.
After the Sabres blew a third-period lead, Skinner scored twice in a span of 4:40, capitalizing on an odd bounce off the half wall at 12:20 before following his own rebound to the net at 16:40.
“Skinner, obviously, rose to the occasion ... Read the full article
John Hayden skates off the ice following one of his fights this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Barring injury, winger John Hayden will establish a new career high in games played later this month. After bouncing around the NHL, often as a spare forward, the Yale product has earned regular duty throughout most his first season with the Sabres.
Hayden, 27, has thrived under Don Granato, a coach he knows well from their days together at the U.S. National Team Development Program and later with the Chicago Blackhawks.
“Donny’s made ... Read the full article
Jacob Bryson scored for the first time in nearly a year. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – Prior to Wednesday’s 5-1 victory over the Maple Leafs, the Buffalo Sabres had been mired in a season-worst rut, losing six straight games in regulation. For all the optimism they’ve generated at times this year, the cold reality they’re a rebuilding team destined for another lottery pick has been hitting home.
It hardly felt like they’d snap of their funk against the Leafs, one of the NHL’s hottest and most potent teams. The ... Read the full article
Jack Quinn has missed the last 14 games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Sabres prospect Jack Quinn suffered a lower-body injury early in his second NHL game Jan. 20, he pushed through and figured it wasn’t that bad.
“I guess I had a lot of adrenaline or whatever,” said Quinn, who scored his first NHL goal later that night and finished the Sabres’ 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars. “It wouldn’t sideline me, I was thinking, I thought it’d be something I could play through ... Read the full article
Henri Jokiharju was injured Wednesday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
Barely a month ago, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Casey Fitzgerald was in the minors. The rookie has played just 14 NHL games.
Still, Sabres coach Don Granato possesses so much confidence in Fitzgerald he will replace the injured Henri Jokiharju on the top pair tonight beside Rasmus Dahlin.
Granato said Fitzgerald and Dahlin are “comfortable” with the Sabres’ style and “compatible” with each other.
Dylan Cozens created a penalty shot for Montreal on Tuesday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
It took time for the Montreal Canadiens to experience the surge that often accompanies a coaching change. Martin St. Louis lost the first three games of an interim gig that increasingly looks like it will become permanent.
Wednesday’s 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres was the Canadiens’ fourth straight triumph. They had just eight victories all season before beating the St. Louis Blues last Thursday.
The Sabres annihilated the Canadiens earlier this season, outscoring them ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo has scored three goals in the last four games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo missed this morning’s pregame skate in Montreal because of illness and likely won’t play tonight against the Canadiens, coach Don Granato said.
“I don’t expect him for tonight but he’s still a possibility,” Granato said on a Zoom call from the Bell Centre.
With Okposo probably out and winger Victor Olofsson (illness) also sidelined, Granato said he expects forward Brandon Biro to make his NHL debut tonight.
Rasmus Dahlin missed Sunday’s game. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In his fourth season, Rasmus Dahlin has emerged as the Sabres’ most valuable player and one of the NHL’s premier young defensemen.
At 21, Dahlin, who will likely return from upper-body injury tonight, is a budding star.
“He has clearly, definitively established himself as our top defenseman,” Sabres coach Don Granato said following Tuesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center.
Dahlin’s absence in Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets was glaring. With the ... Read the full article
Brandon Biro has been on a tear in Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Whether it’s tonight against the Montreal Canadiens or later during the Sabres’ five-game road trip, center Brandon Biro will likely make his NHL debut soon.
Biro, 23, has been on a tear for the Rochester Americans, compiling nine goals and 31 points in his last 28 games. The Penn State product figured to earn a look from the Sabres sooner or later.
On Tuesday, with winger Victor Olofsson sidelined by a non-COVID illness, ... Read the full article