Peyton Krebs has scored three goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres believe Peyton Krebs ready for offensive role; UPL set to return

BUFFALO – The confidence Sabres center Peyton Krebs displayed in grabbing the puck in his own zone, roaring up the ice and undressing a defender at the blue line has taken years to develop.

In junior hockey, sure, Krebs’ skill would allow him take over a game like he did in the second period of Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers. But in the NHL, Sabres coach Don Granato explained, he has been “building ... Read the full article

Buffalo’s Jordan Greenway (12) and his teammates celebrate his first Tuesday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres dismantle Kings as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen joins elite company with fourth shutout

BUFFALO – Perhaps the most of emphatic of the Sabres’ 23 victories this disappointing season served as another reminder of just how dynamically they’re capable of performing.

On Tuesday, the Sabres annihilated the reeling Los Angeles Kings before an excited crowd of 13,292 fans in KeyBank Center, pouncing on them early and never letting up.

They imposed their will on the Kings, embarrassing them all night.... Read the full article

Owen Power has recently found a groove. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres defenseman Owen Power week to week with upper-body injury

BUFFALO – In recent weeks, Sabres defenseman Owen Power has shaken off a slow start and recaptured some of the form that helped him enjoy a dynamic rookie season.

“He’s just played with more confidence, a little bit more calm with the puck and little bit more assertiveness physically without it,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Tuesday morning after announcing Power will be sidelined week to week with an upper-body injury. “I think a combination ... Read the full article

Zach Benson has scored four goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Mature game helping Sabres rookie Zach Benson earn keep in NHL

BUFFALO – Zach Benson, the new left winger on the Sabres’ second line alongside center Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, hasn’t recorded a point in his last 11 outings. The rookie scored his last goal back on Dec. 15, 18 games ago.

Benson, 18, has compiled four goals in 38 games this season, one less than Jack Quinn, the player he’s replacing, has scored in 17 contests.

Still, after Quinn suffered a lower-body injury Jan. ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson was injured Jan. 23. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres lose Mattias Samuelsson for the rest of the season; Jack Quinn’s injury emotional for his teammates

BUFFALO – Losing defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to a season-ending injury and winger Jack Quinn for six to eight weeks could extinguish the Sabres’ faint playoff hopes.

The Sabres, who practiced Sunday in KeyBank Center following their bye week and NHL All-Star break, must erase a 10-point deficit without two of their top talents.

But forget, for a moment, about their on-ice contributions. Suddenly losing two popular teammates could rattle the Sabres’ psyche.

Watching Quinn, 22, ... Read the full article

Jack Quinn missed the first 32 games this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Jack Quinn leaves win against Sharks after injuring left leg

Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn, who spent six months rehabbing from a torn left Achilles tendon and missed the first 32 games this season, departed Saturday’s 5-2 road win over the San Jose Sharks after his left leg bent awkwardly when Tomas Hertl hit him into the boards.

Quinn, 22, was trying to spin away from Hertl between the left circle and blue line when he took the hit. He stayed on the SAP Center ... Read the full article

Erik Johnson left Thursday’s game early. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Erik Johnson misses practice as other injured Sabres near returns

BUFFALO – Now, the Sabres have four players who are day to day with upper-body injuries.

Defenseman Erik Johnson, who missed Friday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter, has joined the list. Phillipp Kurashev hit Johnson, 35, awkwardly into the end boards in the third period in Thursday’s 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, earning a five-minute major for boarding. Johnson immediately departed the game.

Two of the Sabres with upper-body injures – defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks for the puck Thursday between Ryan Johnson (33) and Reese Johnson (52). ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen posts another shutout win, Sabres stay hot: ‘Playing with mojo right now’

BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar goaltending is just one part of the Sabres’ improved defense.

Right now, Luukkonen, 24, is the NHL’s hottest goalie, having posted back-to-back shutouts after making 19 saves in Thursday’s 3-0 win over the hapless Chicago Blackhawks.

The Finn’s current shutout streak of 157:55 is the longest by a Sabres netminder since Ryan Miller blanked opponents for 161:35 from Nov. 27 to Dec. 7, 2010. Only five goalies in franchise history ... Read the full article

JJ Peterka has scored 13 goals this season. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

JJ Peterka establishing himself as one of Sabres’ top scorers in second year

BUFFALO – When winger JJ Peterka’s rookie season ended nine months ago, the Sabres challenged the youngster, telling him “you got to be better.”

He contributed 12 goals and 32 points in 2022-23, strong signs he belonged in the NHL. Still, as his minus-15 rating and long offensive droughts illustrated, he was a raw work in progress.

Peterka was pretty good, but hardly good enough.

... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) celebrates one of his goals Thursday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Tage Thompson bounces back, scores twice in win before leaving with injury: ‘He was on a mission’

BUFFALO – Some one-on-one chats with Tage Thompson following his worst outing this season left Sabres coach Don Granato feeling like his star center would bounce back in a hurry.

“He was on a mission to play better than he played the other night,” Granato said after Thompson scored twice twice in the first period of Thursday’s 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators at KeyBank Center. “… And he did with urgency, and obviously he’s ... Read the full article