Quinn - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After trade, scratch, Sabres newcomer Logan Stanley settling in on defense

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley knows it sounds a bit odd. After all, he fell out of the lineup after playing 14 straight games following his arrival from the Winnipeg Jets before the trade deadline.

But sitting out Wednesday’s 5-3 road win over the New York Rangers as a healthy scratch infused him with some much-needed confidence.

After being given a chance to reset, Stanley responded by enjoying his best outing with the Sabres ... Read the full article

Colten Ellis dynamic as Sabres shut out Blue Jackets, stay in first place

BUFFALO – When the Sabres claimed rookie goalie Colten Ellis off waivers six months ago, it felt like his first trip to the NHL might be fleeting.

After all, they grabbed Ellis to provide insurance after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered another injury late in the preseason. Carrying three goalies, of course, is a luxury, and that roster spot can often be better utilized on a forward or defenseman.

But Ellis, who dazzled Thursday in his first ... Read the full article

Sabres bounce back against Lightning, earn much-needed win: ‘Our guys had great pushback’

BUFFALO – In a grueling six-month, 82-game NHL season, slumps are inevitable. That the Sabres avoided losing two straight games in regulation for almost four months illustrates how dynamically they performed for more than half of the schedule.

But a slump finally materialized last week – albeit a short one – when in dropping back-to-back contests, the Sabres looked nothing likes themselves.

One of the league’s elite teams looked out of whack defensively and struggled ... Read the full article

Shootout exploits by Jack Quinn, UPL, cap Sabres’ exciting come-from-behind win over Kraken

BUFFALO – A few years ago, Sabres winger Jack Quinn retired the slick shootout move – a nifty fake in the slot that freezes the goalie – he often utilized early in his pro career.

Goalies study their opponents and assemble a book on their tendencies, so Quinn has developed into one of the NHL’s premier shooters by evolving and showcasing other dazzling moves.

But a move that good shouldn’t be mothballed, right?

After dusting ... Read the full article

After trades, recalls, newcomers Sam Carrick, Noah Ostlund and others play huge roles in Sabres’ success

BUFFALO – As Sabres center Sam Carrick warmed up prior to Saturday’s 3-2 shootout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a placard along the glass featuring a drawing of his head grabbed his attention.

Other than the length of his hair – “I’ve had a snip since then,” the newcomer said – the portrait accurately depicted Carrick.

“Yeah, it was pretty impressive,” he told the Times Herald following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Sabres bounce back after rare loss, beat Maple Leafs in shootout

BUFFALO – You must go back more than three months – 97 days and 38 games, to be exact – to find the last time the Sabres lost two consecutive contests in regulation.

A heck of lot has gone into their stunning 30-6-2 run that has vaulted them into first place in the Atlantic Division. They’ve excelled in essentially every facet of the game.

Their ability to quickly bounce back and handle the mental gymnastics ... Read the full article

Sabres’ win streak hits eight games as Jack Quinn scores first hat trick; Logan Stanley makes debut after trade

BUFFALO – To coach Lindy Ruff, the Sabres’ long win streaks this season – for the first time in franchise history, they have two of at least eight games – illustrate the high level of consistency they’ve showcased over a torrid three-month stretch.

“That’s the reason you can win that number of games,” Ruff said after Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks in noisy KeyBank Center pushed their latest run to eight games.... Read the full article

Alex Lyon sets consecutive wins record as Sabres continue torrid run

BUFFALO – When the Sabres signed goalie Alex Lyon as a free agent last summer, they likely envisioned an important but secondary role for the veteran journeyman.

In addition to serving as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s backup, he could push the Finn and provide some internal competition, perhaps steal some playing time.

The Sabres thought highly enough of Lyon, a fierce competitor, that they awarded him a two-year, $3 million contract.... Read the full article

In trying season, Rasmus Dahlin enjoys dynamic night in win over Maple Leafs; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen injured

TORONTO – Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin processed the question following his dynamic three-goal, five-point performance in Tuesday’s 7-4 win over the Maple Leafs and searched for the right words.

The defenseman never quite found them.

Over the last seven months, Dahlin has been through, for lack of a better word, hell.

In September, he revealed his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, has been rehabbing after experiencing major heart failure and undergoing a heart transplant in the ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin stars in Sabres’ win over Flyers; Josh Norris leaves game injured

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin has always been his own worst critic, holding himself to the highest of standards.

Dahlin, one of the NHL’s most talented defensemen, has enjoyed a season that for just about anyone else would be considered pretty darn good.

But the Swede, 25, knows he can reach a much higher level.

Perhaps his two-goal outing in Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers signals he’s ready to take off in ... Read the full article