WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Marcus Johansson is frustrated by his play. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Even during the opening weeks of the season, as Marcus Johansson scored goals and solidified himself as the Sabres’ No. 2 center, his play irked him.
“I didn’t feel like myself with the puck and stuff like that,” said Johansson, who scored four goals and seven points in the first nine games. “I mean, sometimes you still get points and the team wins. You kind of don’t think about it as much.”
These ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel missed Thursday’s game. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel said he has been dealing with the upper-body injury that sidelined him for Thursday’s ugly 6-1 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
“It’s not something that came out of nowhere,” Eichel said after practicing this afternoon inside KeyBank Center.
Eichel, who’s day-to-day, according to coach Ralph Krueger, has dealt with the injury well. The slick center carried a 17-game point streak into Thursday’s game, the second-longest in franchise history.... Read the full article
This is Curtis Lazar’s third stint with the Sabres this season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres, who lost three centers in about a three-hour span Thursday night, recalled forward Curtis Lazar from the Rochester Americans this morning.
Lazar, 24, has recorded one goal in six NHL games this season. This is third time the Sabres have summoned him.
The Sabres ended Thursday’s ugly 6-1 road loss to the Philadelphia Flyers without captain and leading scorer Jack Eichel, Johan Larsson and Evan Rodrigues.... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt (37) battles New Jersey’s Travis Zajac on Dec. 2. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
TORONTO – On Sunday, a day off for the Buffalo Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted to the Rochester Americans.
After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the minors – “It’s always an emotional conversation,” Botterill said Monday – he asked what he must to do return to the NHL.
“He ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel sees similarities between the Sabres and Bills. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ralph Krueger normally goes to bed long before “Sunday Night Football” ends. Still, the Sabres coach stayed up late to watch the Bills’ thrilling 17-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, which clinched just their second playoff berth in 20 seasons.
“I cut into my sleep,” Krueger joked today inside KeyBank Center.
Of course, Krueger, who said he has become as a big a Bills fan as anybody, was happy he could enjoy such ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has never played in the AHL. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On Sunday, a day off for the Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted.
After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the Rochester Americans for the first time, Botterill said the youngster quickly asked what he must to do return to the NHL.
“He is a mature guy, he is ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has mustered only two points in his last 21 appearances. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres sent center Casey Mittelstadt, who has been a healthy scratch three of the last four games, to the Rochester Americans today.
While Mittelstadt, 21, has never played in the AHL, the demotion wasn’t exactly surprising.
Mittelstadt has struggled in his second full NHL season, compiling only four goals, nine points and a minus-5 rating in 31 games while often looking lost defensively.
The former eighth overall pick has mustered just ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo has missed nine games. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Winger Kyle Okposo, out since suffering a concussion Nov. 16, accompanied the Sabres on their three-game road trip, which begins Thursday against the Calgary Flames.
Okposo, who started practicing Monday, has missed the last nine games. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said the veteran is day-to-day.
Meanwhile, with forward Evan Rodrigues ready to return from a five-game absence (lower-body), the Sabres sent center Jean-Sebastien Dea back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.... Read the full article
Curtis Lazar played six games during his recent recall. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The Sabres sent winger Curtis Lazar, a healthy scratch the last four games, back to the Rochester Americans this morning.
Lazar, 24, played six games during his latest NHL stint, scoring one goal.
The Sabres’ decision to start utilizing 11 forwards and seven defensemen essentially pushed Lazar out of the lineup.
With winger Kyle Okposo back practicing after suffering a concussion last month, Lazar was no longer needed.... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo suffered a concussion Nov. 16. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Right away, Kyle Okposo knew something was wrong. Having suffered at least three concussions earlier in his Sabres career, the winger understands the symptoms well.
“I just knew right away that the neck wasn’t good,” said Okposo, who suffered his fourth concussion Nov. 16 when he collided with Ottawa Senators defenseman Ron Hainsey leaving the bench.
Right now, Okposo feels good again. The affable veteran smiled and was upbeat Monday morning after skating ... Read the full article