Ruff - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Owen Power’s injury appears to be serious; Sabres to make recall

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Owen Power suffered what appears to be a serious injury when Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe fell on his left leg in Saturday’s 3-2 shootout loss, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Don’t really have a time frame yet, but it looks to be (serious),” Ruff said of Power’s lower-body injury this morning in KeyBank Center.

Power’s season, of course, is over. Ruff said the youngster will be evaluated again today and later ... Read the full article

Sabres legend Ryan Miller happy in role as goalie scout and development coach with Sharks

ROCHESTER – Right now, Buffalo Sabres legend Ryan Miller is busy interviewing goalie prospects and writing reports, his final preparations for the NHL Draft.

Later this month, Miller, 44, will be in Texas watching prospects at the World Under-18 Junior Championship.

These days, Miller, who retired in 2021, works as a goalie scout and development coach for the San Jose Sharks. It’s a job, given his long and successful career and cerebral approach to hockey, ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek possessed special ability similar to Sabres star Tage Thompson’s

BUFFALO – Twice earlier this week, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was asked if winger Tage Thompson’s dynamic ability to shoot the puck and finish reminded him of anyone.

The first time, Ruff acknowledged he couldn’t offer a good answer. But after reflecting and putting more thought into it, he had a name ready.

“I’d probably put Thomas Vanek in that category,” Ruff said prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Coach Lindy Ruff focused on improving Sabres, not milestone win

BUFFALO – The pain of losing has always seemed to outweigh the thrill of victory for Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.

Right now, having won 899 games behind an NHL bench, he’s on the precipice of making history. Only four coaches in history – Scotty Bowman, Joel Quenneville, Barry Trotz and Paul Maurice – have registered 900 wins.

It’s a significant number Ruff, whose Sabres begin a three-game road trip tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, ... Read the full article

James Reimer shuts out Hurricanes as Sabres continue torrid stretch

BUFFALO – Goalie James Reimer was within earshot following his splendid 33-save performance in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, so winger Alex Tuch playfully needled the Sabres’ oldest player.

“So steady, so calm,” Tuch said after Reimer earned his seventh straight victory, setting a new career high. “It’s like he’s been doing it for, like, 20 years or something.”

Actually, Reimer, 37, has been tending goal in the NHL since 2010-11, and a ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich never expected to be centering Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – If someone had told Jiri Kulich a few months ago he would be centering Tage Thompson on the Sabres’ top line later in his rookie season, he said he probably would’ve laughed at them.

“I didn’t even expect that,” Kulich told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Few expected Kulich, 20, would ascend so quickly up the lineup.

The Czech began the season moving ... Read the full article

Sabres’ James Reimer becomes NHL’s hottest goalie at end of odd season

BUFFALO – Following a one-game rest, the Sabres could turn to goalie James Reimer again tonight, awarding him his seventh start in the last nine contests.

After serving as a backup all season, Reimer, 37, has morphed into the NHL’s hottest netminder, winning six straight starts while compiling a 2.80 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

If he plays tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center, Reimer can set a career-best win ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson scores a breakaway goal Sunday on Boston goalie Joonas Korpisalo.

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores hat trick in win over Bruins, aims for 50 goals

BUFFALO – Just like that, a 50-goal season might be attainable for scorching Sabres winger Tage Thompson. Six games are left. After scoring three times in Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins, he has 43 goals.

Is it likely he will become the first Sabres player to score 50 goals in 32 years? No, but the prestigious mark is certainly within reach.

Right now, Thompson is the NHL’s hottest scorer, having registered eight goals ... Read the full article

Sabres keep improving, beat Lightning to extend win streak; Tage Thompson hits 40-goal mark

BUFFALO – Over the final weeks of a disappointing season in which they will add to their NHL-record playoff drought, the Sabres have quietly been establishing an identity, showcasing a more consistent and sturdier style while defeating some heavyweight opponents.

Saturday’s 3-2 come-from-behind shootout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center extended their winning streak to three games. They’ve won nine of their last 13 games and are 11-2-0 in their last 13 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Beck Malenstyn not surprised Alex Ovechkin rejected chance to score record-breaking goal into empty net

BUFFALO – Having spent parts of four seasons as Alex Ovechkin’s teammate, Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn is hardly surprised the superstar rejected a chance to break the all-time goals record Friday after the Chicago Blackhawks pulled their goalie.

During their days together on the Washington Capitals, Malenstyn said when the Russian approached milestones, he wasn’t too interested in scoring empty-net goals.

“There were instances last year where unless it was a clear-cut look at an ... Read the full article