Pittsburgh Penguins - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres blow leads as Sidney Crosby and Penguins spoil JJ Peterka’s return

PITTSBURGH – Where do you start with this one? The Buffalo Sabres blew an early two-goal lead before roaring back late to go up again after superstar Evgeni Malkin’s 500th goal put the Penguins ahead and seemingly seized all the momentum.

In the end, the Sabres earned one point for Wednesday’s wildly entertaining 6-5 overtime loss in PPG Paints Arena.

Still, the setback surely stings. The Sabres led 2-0 led by the 2:08 mark, 3-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Lafferty trades in youngster status for veteran role

PITTSBURGH – This is new for Sam Lafferty. In his previous four stops, the versatile Sabres newcomer was always one of the younger guys. He played his first NHL game barely five years ago.

But these days, Lafferty, 29, looks around Buffalo’s dressing room and mostly sees younger faces. Only winger Jason Zucker, 32, is older than Lafferty, who’s six weeks older than defenseman Connor Clifton.

At an average age of just 25.3, the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ JJ Peterka could return from concussion against Penguins

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres winger JJ Peterka, out since suffering a concussion Oct. 5, is available to play tonight against the Penguins, coach Lindy Ruff said this morning.

The German has missed the last two games. If he returns, Ruff did not say which player would be scratched.

Peterka, 22, played the first two games at left wing on the top line alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. He left the lineup when New ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jordan Greenway becoming big asset: ‘An incredibly smart player’

PITTSBURGH – Early in Saturday’s 5-2 win, Buffalo Sabres winger Jordan Greenway spotted 30-goal scorer Carter Verhaeghe on his radar and leveled him, knocking off his helmet before he fell to the ice.

Later in the first period against the Florida Panthers, Greenway grabbed a loose puck at the net and backhanded it under the crossbar, tying the game at 1.

Overall, he enjoyed perhaps the finest of his 88 outings with the Sabres, playing ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stars in win over Penguins: ‘Stood on his head’

PITTSBURGH – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen calmly faced each breakaway, patiently waiting in position in his crease as Penguins roared toward him. Each time, the Buffalo Sabres goalie stymied his opponent, barely moving and making the stops look easy.

In Saturday’s first period, shortly after Sabres winger Alex Tuch scored 2:53 into the game, superstar Sidney Crosby became Luukkonen’s first victim. In the second period, the Finn thwarted Rickard Rackell’s attempt. Later in the second, he stoned ... Read the full article

After slow start, Connor Clifton quietly generating offense for Sabres

PITTSBURGH – Pop quiz, Buffalo Sabres fans. Since Dec. 7, which player is tied with winger Alex Tuch for the team lead with eight assists?

Is it one of the Sabres’ top centers, Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens or Casey Mittelstadt? Or how about one of their high-scoring wingers, JJ Peterka or Jeff Skinner? What about their defenseman who piles up points like a first-line forward, Rasmus Dahlin?

If you guessed any of the above, you’re ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jordan Greenway, Alex Tuch to play against Penguins; UPL to start

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres wingers Jordan Greenway and Alex Tuch, both of whom missed Friday’s practice because of illness, will play tonight against the Penguins.

Both players participated in this morning’s optional skate in PPG Paints Arena. Greenway played 18 minutes, 39 seconds in Thursday’s 6-1 road win over the Montreal Canadiens, the most among Buffalo’s forwards.

In other lineup news, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start tonight, his 19th appearance this season.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson evolving in new role: ‘He’s become a better player’

PITTSBURGH – When you think of Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson scoring a goal, coach Don Granato said, you have a certain picture.

For much of the past five years, Olofsson has utilized his ultra-quick release and lethal shot, often from the circle area.

“You think of a certain spot on the ice where he opens up and it’s a one-timer,” Granato said following Wednesday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “It’s a shift slightly into the ... Read the full article

Sabres roar back after Kyle Okposo talk, beat Penguins; Buffalo likely to recall forward from Amerks

BUFFALO – By the end of Friday’s second period, the Sabres had reached what captain Kyle Okposo acknowledged was a desperate situation.

Most of the season, they haven’t showcased the aggressive style that made their offense so lethal last year. They’ve struggled to score goals and find any consistency.

After 40 minutes against the Penguins, the Sabres trailed 2-0 and were in danger of losing for the fifth time in six outings.... Read the full article

Mature style, skill help Sabres rookie Zach Benson earn spot in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Forget, for a moment, about the dynamic goal Sabres winger Zach Benson scored Wednesday.

Seconds before Benson, 18, utilized a scintillating between-the-legs backhand to beat Washington Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper for his first NHL goal, he made two subtle plays that belied his age.

The maturity the rookie showcased – coach Don Granato called the plays “significant” – helps illustrate why the Sabres have chosen to keep him, at least for now.

Benson, ... Read the full article