Philadelphia Flyers - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres start slowly, get blanked by Flyers: ‘Emotionally drained’

BUFFALO – In a span of two days, the Sabres won a thrilling come-from-behind overtime contest before a raucous capacity crowd and got shut out in front of about 9,000 empty seats.

The ebb and flow of a grueling six-month season can create some real clunkers, and the Sabres clearly experienced a letdown on Monday in losing 4-0 to the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off Saturday’s exciting 6-5 triumph against the Minnesota Wild, ... Read the full article

After sending Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Amerks, expect more moves as Sabres try to keep three goalies

BUFFALO – By loaning goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the Rochester Americans to create a roster spot for Eric Comrie, the Sabres bought themselves some time.

Right now, the Sabres have a full 23-man roster. If they wanted to activate Comrie from injured reserve and keep Luukkonen, they might’ve had to waive a young defenseman and risk losing him.

The Sabres can send Luukkonen, 23, to the AHL without waivers, so his assignment on Monday ... Read the full article

Five-point game helps Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin earn NHL Third Star honors

BUFFALO – A dynamic five-point outing, the Sabres’ first by a defenseman since 1989, has earned Rasmus Dahlin NHL Third Star honors for the week ending Sunday.

Dahlin, 22, performed dominantly in Saturday’s thrilling 6-5 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild, recording two goals and three assists. His second goal tied the game late regulation before he assisted on winger Victor Olofsson’s game-winning score.

A Sabres defenseman hadn’t recorded a five-game game since Phil ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Eric Comrie set to return from conditioning stint in Rochester

BUFFALO – When the Sabres convene for their pregame skate this morning, Eric Comrie will likely be one of three goalies on the ice as they prepare for the Philadelphia Flyers.

On Friday, Comrie made the third and likely final start of his conditioning assignment with the Rochester Americans, stopping 24 shots in a 3-2 home loss to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

He did not dress for Saturday’s 4-3 road win over the Syracuse Crunch.... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo scores 20th goal, sparks Sabres to comeback win on birthday

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson had time and space, so he leaned into his shot, and when the puck hit teammate Kyle Okposo inside his right knee, he went down in a hurry.

As Okposo hobbled off the ice in pain late in Saturday’s first period, it felt like his night might’ve been finished. At that point, the Sabres trailed the Philadelphia Flyers 2-0, and Okposo, who turned 34 on Saturday, said he was ... Read the full article

Sabres to change lines against Flyers; Mattias Samuelsson questionable

BUFFALO – In Friday’s practice, Sabres coach Don Granato changed every forward line, tinkering with trios that have recently developed chemistry and enjoyed success.

Granato often explains how he wants his lineup to become interchangeable. While he showcases more patience than most coaches – lines and defense pairs sometimes stay intact for weeks – he’s not afraid to experiment within games or try new things.

So for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson scoring again, evolving into all-around presence

BUFFALO – Since he arrived in the NHL three years ago, the knock on Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has been he’s too one-dimensional, just a shooter who mostly scores power-play goals.

Olofsson, 26, possesses a lethal shot, and he has often utilized his ultra-quick release to pile up power-play goals from the circle.

Over his first 106 NHL games entering this season, Olofsson scored 20 of his 35 goals (57 percent) on the man advantage. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Don Granato grateful for visit from Bills coach Sean McDermott

BUFFALO – When Bills coach Sean McDermott arrived at the rink prior to Thursday’s game, coach Don Granato asked him if he would talk to the Sabres before they went on the ice.

Granato said at first, McDermott wasn’t sure if he wanted to address them.

“But after he went around and met the guys and saw what we do for a couple hours, he’s a natural, obviously,” Granato said following Friday’s practice at KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Peyton Krebs scores first NHL goals in win: ‘A pretty special talent’

BUFFALO – The play in Saturday afternoon’s 6-3 win that illustrates the special talent the Sabres possess in center Peyton Kresbs wasn’t the goal he scored 18 minutes into the game, the first of his NHL career, or his nifty breakaway score minutes later.

Of course, in scoring twice in a span of 4 minutes, 24 seconds, Krebs, 20, displayed the supreme hockey sense and terrific skill set that make him such a coveted young ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Rasmus Ristolainen has warm memories of Buffalo

BUFFALO – In his first nine seasons, ex-Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has endured more chaos and losing than any NHL player.

The Sabres employed six coaches and four general managers during Ristolainen’s eight-year tenure, finishing dead last four times.

When the Sabres traded Ristolainen to the Philadelphia Flyers on July 23, it appeared he might finally have an opportunity to play for a contender and experience postseason hockey.

Instead, the Finn joined a team that ... Read the full article