Philadelphia Flyers - Buffalo Hockey Beat

13 years ago today, the Buffalo Sabres clinched their last playoff spot

It feels like a lifetime ago. In reality, 13 years have passed since the Buffalo Sabres clinched their last playoff berth.

On April 8, 2011, the Sabres completed a stunning turnaround by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in overtime and securing a spot in the postseason.

Barely five months earlier, they had ranked dead last in the NHL.

Read about the Sabres’ wild win that night – they sat on the puck at the end ... Read the full article

UPL, Jack Quinn and rare timeout help Sabres beat Flyers, stay in playoff chase

BUFFALO – Three goals on the first 10 shots, a robust shooting percentage of 30, will cover up some problems. So will terrific goaltending.

The Sabres illustrated that Friday in defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2, a critical win that moved them to within four points of the second wild card spot.

While the Flyers opened up a huge shot advantage early, the Sabres made their limited chances count on goalie Ivan Fedotov, who made his ... Read the full article

As career with Sabres likely nears end, Eric Comrie excited to work on game

BUFFALO – In what are likely the final days of his two-year career here, as he watches game after game as the backup or a healthy scratch, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie feels excitement.

At first, the affable Comrie, who hasn’t played since March 7, had a difficult time sitting out. For a while at least, he dressed for games behind starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. When the Sabres recalled rookie Devon Levi last month, he was relegated ... Read the full article

Steady Alex Tuch giving Sabres offense, veteran leadership

BUFFALO – In experiencing the highs and lows of a disappointing season in which he and the Sabres have sometimes struggled, winger Alex Tuch has found what he called a “baseline” and learned to keep his emotions steady.

“Not letting (yourself) get too emotional here or shut down emotionally there during certain situations, because personally and with the team, there’s been a lot of ups and downs,” Tuch explained following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. ... Read the full article

Casey Mittelstadt’s status made trading for coveted Bowen Byram possible

BUFFALO – Kevyn Adams said he never shopped Casey Mittelstadt around the NHL. No, the Sabres general manager said, the center’s emergence made him a sought-after asset.

When other GMs called him to ask about Mittelstadt, his leading scorer, he made it clear he was willing to listen and think about possible scenarios.

Adams said he had been working for a couple of years to find a young, top-pair defenseman. Those type of defenders, of ... Read the full article

Sabres trade Erik Johnson to Flyers; Buffalo makes final deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon traded veteran defenseman Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2024.

The Sabres scratched Johnson, 35, the last five games to protect their asset before this afternoon’s deadline.

After signing a one-year, $3.25 million contract as a free agent, Johnson, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022, compiled three goals and three points in 50 games with the Sabres.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin wants to wear neck guard again

BUFFALO – Sweden mandates that hockey players wear neck guards, so Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin wore one growing up and during his short stint playing pro.

Dahlin, 23, grew accustomed to the protection – “I had no problem with it,” he said – and considered it part of his normal equipment.

“I got here (in 2018) and then I somehow stopped using them,” Dahlin said following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “But I think it’s ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek to make season debut with Buffalo

BUFFALO – When the Sabres recently placed winger Zach Benson and goalie Eric Comrie on injured reserve, they recalled two young forward prospects.

Brandon Biro, 25, rewarded the Sabres by scoring his first two NHL goals in Wednesday’s 5-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Biro will be joined by another rookie, Lukas Rousek, 24, in tonight’s lineup against the Flyers.

“It’s an opportunity for us to see what we have in our organization and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scoring goals, developing into top penalty killer

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson scored and also earned the primary assists on rookie Brandon Biro’s first NHL goal and the game-winning goal, so understandably, a terrific defensive play he made late in a three-goal win could be overlooked.

But in Wednesday’s 5-2 road victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, Thompson illustrated his growing maturity by thwarting what looked to be an easy power-play goal.

With Thompson, 26, covering the back side of the net, ... Read the full article

Sabres recall forward from Americans

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday recalled winger Lukas Rousek, who played his first two NHL games last season, from the Rochester Americans.

Winger Alex Tuch missed Thursday’s practice for maintenance, according to the Sabres, so Rousek might’ve been summoned for insurance.

The Sabres had one extra forward, winger Victor Olofsson, for Wednesday’s 5-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers. They host the Flyers tonight at KeyBank Center.

Update: Rousek and Tuch will play against ... Read the full article