Ruff - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin close to playing; Buffalo makes lineup change

MONTREAL – Sitting in the press box watching the Buffalo Sabres lose game after game has been a difficult experience for captain Rasmus Dahlin.

“It’s horrible,” Dahlin, who has been battling back spasms, said after joining his teammates on the ice prior to Tuesday’s embarrassing 6-1 loss to the Canadiens. “It’s the worst thing, but I’m just happy where I am right now. It’s been a grind, but we figured it out and I’m in ... Read the full article

Owner Terry Pegula’s presence, words resonate with Sabres: ‘He’s passionate’

MONTREAL – Owner Terry Pegula’s words to his reeling Buffalo Sabres, losers of 10 straight games, will stay in the room, players said.

Still, some details of Monday’s meeting have been revealed, most notably Pegula expressing his belief in his players’ ability to find a solution and confidence in general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Lindy Ruff, according to Daily Faceoff.

Ruff said Pegula’s presence during a difficult time resonated throughout the dressing room.... Read the full article

Time as healthy scratch helped Sabres’ Jack Quinn find legs, score two goals

MONTREAL – The most trying stretch of Jack Quinn’s career ended 63 seconds into Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss, when the Buffalo Sabres winger navigated to open space in the left circle, grabbed JJ Peterka’s pass and unleashed a wicked wrist shot.

Quinn needed 25 games, 44 shots on goal and was scratched six times before he beat a goalie for the first time this year.

“Just nice to see one go in, take some ... Read the full article

Sabres’ streak hits 10 games with loss to Maple Leafs: ‘Toughest solve I’ve been around’

TORONTO – Lindy Ruff has coached 1,805 games over 24 seasons. He has led Buffalo Sabres teams that went bankrupt during the season and that came within two wins of a Stanley Cup victory.

Ruff, 64, has experienced just about everything during his long and distinguished career. He has won 875 games, the fifth-highest total in NHL history, and led three franchises to the playoffs.

He has always found a way to get his teams ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie Devon Levi; Buffalo to make lineup change in Toronto

TORONTO – Goalie Devon Levi is back with the Buffalo Sabres.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Levi, 22, will start this afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs after being recalled today from the Rochester Americans.

Levi, of course, began the season with the Sabres, compiling a 2-5-0 record with a 3.95 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage in seven games.... Read the full article

Injured Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin having difficult time sitting out; Jack Quinn could play soon

BUFFALO – On Thursday, a day off for the struggling Sabres, injured captain Rasmus Dahlin and Lindy Ruff had what the coach called “a long conversation” about the team.

Dahlin has missed the last four games after suffering back spasms Dec. 3. The Sabres’ top defenseman skated on his own again Friday and is progressing, according to Ruff.

Still, the Swede has been a bystander as the Sabres’ losing streak reached eight games, and it’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ losing streak hits eight games; Owen Power, JJ Peterka benched

BUFFALO – If you’re counting, after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers, the Sabres have six-one goal losses during their bizarre eight-game skid.

They’ve blown multi-goal leads and had a couple of wretched outings over the last two weeks. Still, during a stunning stretch in which they’ve lost seven times at home following a 3-0-0 trip to California, they’ve played well enough to win several games.

“What, six one-goal games?” said Sabres winger ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan Johnson skates big minutes; Rasmus Dahlin still sidelined

BUFFALO – Instead of easing Ryan Johnson into the lineup, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff tossed the defenseman headfirst into the fray, skating him nearly 21 minutes in his NHL season debut.

Not only did Johnson, 23, play the third-highest total of his short career (20:50), he earned a plum assignment playing alongside Bowen Byram throughout Monday’s 6-5 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

When Johnson’s turnover in the corner led to Alex DeBrincat’s tying ... Read the full article

Sabres stay off ice, likely to make lineup change against Rangers

BUFFALO – One reeling team will earn a much-needed win tonight.

The Sabres have lost seven straight contests (0-4-3) and could go winless during a season-long five-game home stand. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers, a team expected to contend for the Stanley Cup, have dropped two straight contests and eight of their last 10.

Some pregame updates from KeyBank Center, where they Sabres did not skate this morning, are below.... Read the full article

Despite losing streak, struggling Sabres still in thick of playoff chase

BUFFALO – In recent days, as the losses pile up and his frustration mounts, coach Lindy Ruff has often explained some of the Sabres’ problems in detail.

Sometimes as he goes on, occasionally pivoting to another area before he can be questioned about it, it almost sounds like Ruff’s venting.

Can you blame him? The Sabres take a seven-game losing streak (0-4-3) into tonight’s contest against the New York Rangers at KeyBank Center, the end ... Read the full article