Robin Lehner makes a save on Vegas’ Tomas Hyka on Saturday afternoon. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

With goalie Linus Ullmark up, Sabres have crowded net

BUFFALO – Before a rough outing last week, Sabres backup Chad Johnson was among the NHL’s hottest goalies, going 6-2-0 over a six-week stretch.

But Johnson, 31, might be getting a break soon. In fact, in the near future, he could even be scratched for some games.

Right now, the Sabres have three healthy goalies – Johnson, starter Robin Lehner and prospect Linus Ullmark – on the roster.

The Sabres recalled Ullmark, 24, their ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel pursues Detroit’s Niklas Kronwall on Oct. 24. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel out Thursday; Kyle Okposo doing well

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel won’t be ready for Thursday’s home tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs and will miss his 15th straight game.

Still, Eichel, who returned to practice Tuesday, has been progressing in his recovery from a high right ankle sprain. The Sabres just don’t want to rush the youngster.

“He felt really good today,” Housley said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “It’s one of those things we’re trying to ease ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel (15) battles Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby on Dec. 1. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel feels good after first practice, unsure of return

BUFFALO – After practicing more than an hour Tuesday morning, Jack Eichel’s first team session since suffering a high right ankle sprain Feb. 10, the Sabres center wouldn’t put a timetable on his return.

But Eichel, the Sabres’ leading scorer, likely couldn’t have participated in the team’s toughest practice in weeks – players just enjoyed two days off, a rarity – if he wasn’t capable of playing soon.

The Sabres host the Toronto Maple Leafs ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel (15) drives past Vancouver’s Ben Hutton on Oct. 21. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel practices, doesn’t have return date

BUFFALO – After practicing more than an hour this morning, Jack Eichel’s first team session since suffering a high right ankle sprain Feb. 10, the Sabres center wouldn’t put a timetable on his return.

But Eichel, the Sabres’ leading scorer, likely couldn’t have participated in the team’s toughest practice in weeks – players just enjoyed two days off, a rarity – if he wasn’t capable of playing soon.

The Sabres host the Toronto Maple Leafs ... Read the full article

Justin Bailey flies past Vegas goalie Marc-Andre Fleury after scoring his third-period goal. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres blow late lead, lose shootout to Golden Knights

BUFFALO – Early in the third period Saturday afternoon, Sabres winger Benoit Pouliot roared into the Vegas zone, beat defenseman Shea Theodore to a loose puck and quickly dished it to linemate Justin Bailey, who was trailing the play in the slot.

Bailey tucked the puck past Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury at the 2:47 mark, then went airborne after tripping on his right pad.

The Williamsville native, who was playing his first game ... Read the full article

Jonathan Marchessault has compiled 65 points in 65 games. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres notes: Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault quietly productive

BUFFALO – After earning only four NHL appearances over his first four pro seasons, Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault decided he would give himself one more year to crack the big league.

“If I didn’t make it, I was going to go to Europe, because I was getting great offers in Europe,” Marchessault said Friday inside KeyBank Center. “A lot of people do a decent living over there, do a great career.”... Read the full article

Justin Bailey recently started scoring again in Rochester. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Justin Bailey thrilled to be recalled from Amerks

BUFFALO – Finally, after a 21-game goalless stretch in the AHL, Sabres winger Justin Bailey recently started performing like his old self.

Prior to getting summoned Friday, the Williamsville native had four goals and five points in the last five games with the Rochester Americans.

A high ankle sprain he suffered during his last recall helped derail Bailey’s promising season. He struggled to recover from one of hockey’s trickiest injuries, looking nothing like the youngster ... Read the full article

Danny O’Regan skated in the pregame warm-ups Wednesday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres notes: Seth Griffith moves in, Danny O’Regan scratched

BUFFALO – In the AHL, Seth Griffith morphs into a different player. Over the past three seasons, the Sabres winger has been one of the league’s most lethal scorers, compiling 47 goals and 155 points in 131 outings.

During Griffith’s early-season NHL run, he mustered only two goals and three points in 18 games. Then, not surprisingly, he went on a tear with the Rochester Americans, scoring 13 goals and 34 points in 36 ... Read the full article

Seth Griffith has played 20 NHL games this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Seth Griffith confident after stint with Amerks

BUFFALO – In the AHL, Seth Griffith morphs into a different player. Over the past three seasons, the Sabres winger has been one of the league’s most lethal scorers, compiling 47 goals and 155 points in 131 outings.

During Griffith’s early-season NHL run, he mustered only two goals and three points in 18 games. Then, not surprisingly, he went on a tear with the Rochester Americans, scoring 13 goals and 34 points in 36 ... Read the full article

The Sabres acquired Danny O’Regan last week. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres recall Danny O’Regan; Benoit Pouliot moves to center

BUFFALO – Nine days after the Sabres acquired Danny O’Regan from the San Jose Sharks, they recalled the forward from the Rochester Americans this morning.

So, O’Regan will play tonight against the Calgary Flames, right? Well, not exactly.

Winger Seth Griffith will return after a one-game absence. Meanwhile, with center Kyle Criscuolo (upper body) out, Benoit Pouliot, a winger all season, will skate in the middle.... Read the full article