Pittsburgh Penguins - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres beat Penguins to move into first place; Buffalo makes trades

PITTSBURGH – Thirty-eight seconds into Thursday’s second period, as Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and Evgeni Malkin began battling at the net and cross-checking each other, the Penguins star slashed his opponent on the neck.

Malkin’s ill-advised decision ended his night – he earned a match penalty and could have a suspension coming – and ignited the Sabres in a game that was tied at 1.

“After that we got it going pretty good,” coach ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Josh Norris healthy and thriving one year after trade

PITTSBURGH – One year and just 27 games later, Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris is happy, healthy and geared up to potentially experience the postseason for the first time in his six-year NHL career.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time (in Buffalo),” Norris said prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights at KeyBank Center. “The locker room is unbelievable, and it’s honestly so much fun coming to the rink every day.”

Still, his ... Read the full article

With Tyson Kozak injured, Sabres will turn to versatile Josh Dunne

PITTSBURGH – In center Tyson Kozak’s absence tonight, the Buffalo Sabres will turn to the versatile Josh Dunne, one of their biggest surprises this season.

Kozak aggravated something and is day to day, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said, so for the third time in the last five games, Dunne will earn duty on the fourth line.

After beginning the season with the Rochester Americans, Dunne, 27, has emerged as what Ruff called “a real ... Read the full article

As trade deadline nears, Colton Parayko rumors show Sabres could load up

PITTSBURGH – Having ascended to the the ranks of the NHL’s elite, the Buffalo Sabres find themselves in the rare position of buying as Friday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline approaches.

Since Dec. 9, they’ve won 25 of their 32 games, earning an NHL-high 52 points and establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the crowded and ultra-competitive Eastern Conference.

If they beat the Penguins tonight at PPG Paints Arena and the Tampa Bay Lightning lose ... Read the full article

Sabres scratched Michael Kesselring to ‘just take a breath’

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing defenseman Michael Kesselring for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave the newcomer a chance to reset.

Having battled injuries all year, Kesselring hasn’t found much of a groove. Since training camp, he has dealt with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain he re-injured.

In his first 23 outings, he showcased glimpses of what made him a coveted return in the ... Read the full article

Sabres injury updates: Josh Norris out, Jordan Greenway examining options

BUFFALO – Oft-injured Sabres center Josh Norris won’t return to the lineup before the Olympic break.

Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning that Norris, who has missed the last 11 games with an upper-body injury, will sit out tonight’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Norris began practicing again last week.... Read the full article

Owen Power maturing as Sabres keep winning: ‘Best hockey I’ve played’

BUFFALO – Owen Power understands his offensive numbers hardly illustrate confidence or growth. The Sabres defenseman recently ended a 24-game goal drought. At his current pace, he would produce just 25 points this season, eight lower than his career-low total.

Power, 23, doesn’t get wrapped up in his statistics. He believes he has recently enjoyed the best stretch of his four-year career.

Meanwhile, the Sabres enter tonight’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, their final ... Read the full article

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