Olofsson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jack Eichel helping Sabres become heavyweight at home

BUFFALO – Thursday was “Aud Night” at KeyBank Center, a special 50th anniversary promotion that celebrated the Sabres’ first home and the 1980s throughout their entertaining 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators.

In addition to giving out Memorial Auditorium shirts – the Sabres laid out gold, red, blue and orange ones on the seats to match the old building’s unique look – alumni attended and the Sabres sported their special white anniversary jerseys.

“It adds ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jeff Skinner still scoring goals without Jack Eichel

BUFFALO – Through 28 games, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger has resisted the temptation to reunite 40-goal scorer Jeff Skinner and captain Jack Eichel.

When Krueger broke up the lethal duo before the season, it felt like only a temporary move. How long could he really keep them apart, right?

Well, two months later, the NHL All-Stars are still skating on separate lines.

Krueger awarded rookie Victor Olofsson a coveted spot as Eichel’s left winger, an ... Read the full article

Sabres annihilate Devils, move into third place in Atlantic Division

BUFFALO – Over the past week or so, the Sabres settled down and started showcasing some of the early-season form that made them one of the NHL’s heavyweights.

Their ability to play tighter defense helped them consistently generate more offense. While it had only resulted in two wins, it felt like the Sabres could bust out soon.

Luckily for them, the hapless New Jersey Devils visited town.

In its 22-year existence, around 2,700 periods of ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Victor Olofsson quickly develops into all-around presence

BUFFALO – Victor Olofsson’s ability to quickly adapt and evolve has helped him morph from an unheralded Sabres prospect into one of the NHL’s top rookies.

Just weeks after beginning his North American career last season, Olofsson established himself as one of the AHL’s top scorers with the Rochester Americans.

Following his terrific 30-goal, 63-point campaign, the Swedish winger graduated to Buffalo, scoring six times in the first seven games this year.

But Olofsson, ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel’s dynamic outing helps Sabres roar back, beat Maple Leafs

BUFFALO – Coach Ralph Krueger said he could feel the electricity hours before captain Jack Eichel starred in the Sabres’ wildly entertaining 6-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The season’s first meeting against their fiercest rival would be more than a normal regular-season contest.

“You could feel that it was a highlight day,” Krueger said following Friday afternoon’s win before the bipartisan sellout crowd of 19,070 inside noisy KeyBank Center. “It was an experience ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Rasmus Asplund quickly acclimating to NHL

BUFFALO – In the second period Wednesday, Sabres rookie Rasmus Asplund grabbed a loose puck in the right corner, spun off a defender in the circle and quickly cut to the net.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson hectored the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Asplund in the slot, but he fended him off before creating a prime scoring chance goalie David Rittich stymied.

Asplund’s seventh NHL game, a 3-2 overtime loss, was perhaps his best performance since the ... Read the full article

Lack of finish dogs Sabres again in OT loss to Flames

BUFFALO – In the last month, a wretched stretch in which the Sabres have lost 11 of 13 games and plummeted down the standings, winger Jimmy Vesey said he has seen some positives.

“There’s a lot of games I think we liked the way we played for most of it,” Vesey said after scoring a breakaway goal for the second straight game in Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames.

But what has that ... Read the full article

Reeling Sabres’ reshuffling lands Jimmy Vesey spot on top line

BUFFALO – When the Sabres acquired Jimmy Vesey in the summer, it seemed like he could earn an opportunity to play with top center Jack Eichel.

Of course, no one thought that chance would materialize after scoring zero goals in his first 18 outings. But right now, Vesey is the reeling Sabres’ No. 1 left winger.

“Getting put up there kind of gives you a shot in the arm and a little bit of a ... Read the full article

Don Granato returns to Sabres; Jimmy Vesey promoted to top line

BUFFALO – Finally, some good news for the struggling Sabres.

Assistant coach Don Granato, who took a leave of absence Oct. 1 after being hospitalized with severe pneumonia, returned to the Sabres today.

Granato, 52, was on the ice for practice inside KeyBank Center and accompanied the Sabres on their three-game road trip, which begins Thursday in Boston.

“That was a real-life story,” Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said. “It’s amazing that was Sept. 28 when ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Linus Ullmark wants to show teammates ‘two wins’ in Sweden

BUFFALO – When the Sabres visit Stockholm later this week, Swedish goalie Linus Ullmark would like to show his teammates something special in the historic city.

“Two wins,” said Ullmark, who backed up Carter Hutton for Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the New York Islanders inside KeyBank Center.

Ullmark’s words underscore that while an in-season trip to Europe might be special, the Sabres plan to take it seriously.

The Sabres, who leave for Sweden today, play ... Read the full article