Pittsburgh Penguins - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres fall apart late, lose to Penguins; Jack Quinn continues hot stretch

PITTSBURGH – The dagger came just 31 seconds after Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn’s goal tied Wednesday’s game against the Penguins.

After seemingly seizing the momentum at the 7:20 mark of the third period, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen lost his stick as the Penguins buzzed around him.

When Bryan Rust maneuvered into the right circle holding the puck, Luukkonen faced a shot he would routinely stop. But without his stick, Rust’s shot slid through his ... Read the full article

As UPL, Colten Ellis earn starts, Sabres’ Alex Lyon has positive mindset: ‘I want the team success’

PITTSBURGH – Alex Lyon hasn’t always been this welcoming to his crease mates. No way. Early in his career, the Buffalo Sabres goalie had zero interest in sharing the net.

“Until the time I was 23 years old, I started every single game – college, junior, high school,” Lyon said prior to Wednesday’s game against the Penguins in PPG Paints Arena. “Like, I was the man, and so it took me a long time to ... Read the full article

Consistent action helping Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen find groove

PITTSBURGH – In his last three outings – one relief appearance followed by two straight starts – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has looked more the like the goalie the Buffalo Sabres expected to be their starter this season.

Entering tonight’s game against the Penguins, Luukkonen has compiled a 2-1-0 record with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage during that stretch.

After two injuries stymied him earlier this season, it appears the Finn, who will ... Read the full article

‘Fearless’ Beck Malenstyn playing gritty game, showcasing offensive flair

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn figures after his recent highlight-reel goal, about 20 to 25 people contacted him to share their excitement about the prettiest of his 14 NHL goals.

“I think they were probably just as surprised as I and everybody else in the building were at the time,” Malenstyn told the Times Herald following Tuesday’s practice in KeyBank Center.

While 6-foot-3, 209-pound Malenstyn chips in the occasional goal, his bread and ... Read the full article

Sabres stay busy by trading for Conor Timmins; Bowen Byram’s future seems uncertain

ORCHARD PARK – When general manager Kevyn Adams called Conor Timmins to inform him the Sabres had acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the defenseman was at his parents’ cottage just across the border in Fort Erie, Ontario.

As he spoke to Adams on Saturday from the backyard, Timmins, who grew up a Sabres fan about 30 miles away from Buffalo in St. Catharines, said he could see KeyBank Center, the rink he will now ... Read the full article

Sabres use second-period outburst to beat Penguins after Sidney Crosby sets point-per-game seasons record

BUFFALO – In almost 37 minutes over two abbreviated starts against the Sabres this season, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry looked downright awful, allowing seven goals on 17 shots and getting yanked twice.

It must be noted the Sabres lost the first game they chased Jarry, the start of disturbing stretch in which they dropped five contests when the starting netminder departed.

On Thursday, however, the Sabres kept throttling the hapless Penguins and Alex Nedeljkovic, ... Read the full article

Isak Rosen knows he must produce for Sabres: ‘I need to play better’

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Isak Rosen understands the opportunities he has recently enjoyed are difficult to earn.

Rosen, the Rochester Americans’ leading scorer, has been recalled three times this month as the Sabres deal with a depleted forward corps.

They’re giving the Swede, the 14th overall pick in 2021, a chance to showcase the talent that has helped him score 27 goals and 54 points in 55 games this season.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jason Zucker out against Pens; James Reimer expected to start again

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jason Zucker will miss tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins because a family matter, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff hopes Zucker will be available for Saturday afternoon’s road game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Meanwhile, Ruff said winger Sam Lafferty, who took reps on a line this morning, will likely miss his third straight game with a groin injury.... Read the full article

With lineup weakened, Sabres look to Josh Dunne, Tyson Kozak and others

BUFFALO – In Tuesday’s 3-2 win, Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker, two of the Sabres’ top wingers, each played about three minutes under their season averages.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said prior to the game against the Ottawa Senators he believed the virus that has recently run through the team was no longer a problem.

Two hours before the contest, the Sabres recalled center Josh Dunne from the Rochester Americans. Dunne and defenseman Jacob Bryson ... Read the full article

Upon return from Olympics, Pittsburgh fans greeted Sabres goalie and Team USA star Ryan Miller as hero

Fifteen years have passed since former Buffalo Sabres star Ryan Miller nearly backstopped Team USA to an Olympic gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

While the Americans fell short – Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby scored the iconic overtime goal for Team Canada – Miller was treated as a hero upon his return to the NHL.

This appeared in the March 3, 2010 paper after Miller rejoined the Sabres and received a rousing ovation ... Read the full article