Ruff - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After sitting out as extra, Sabres’ Josh Dunne gets call for playoffs; Buffalo gets injured goalie back

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Josh Dunne learned he would suit up for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he said he had to pinch himself.

After the Sabres beefed up their forward depth before the trade deadline, Dunne, 27, mostly served as an extra, sitting out 17 of the final 21 regular-season games as a healthy scratch.

But with center Sam Carrick injured (left arm) and the heavy Boston Bruins the Sabres’ first-round ... Read the full article

Wild Game 1 win by Sabres over Bruins shows Buffalo’s special hockey town

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Alex Tuch said he couldn’t help but smile when he hit the ice for Sunday’s pregame warm-up and soaked in the scene around him.

Forty-two minutes before the opening faceoff, KeyBank Center was packed and buzzing in anticipation of the Sabres’ first game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011.

“I was like, ‘Wow, this is unbelievable. This is amazing,’” Tuch said Monday. “Like, ‘Let’s go. We’ve got playoff hockey in ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson’s memorable goal in Sabres’ playoff opener result of skill and luck

BUFFALO – With about 3:30 left in the third period of Sunday’s Stanley Cup Playoffs opener and the game tied at 2, the Sabres shot the puck in the Boston Bruins zone and went to work creating the go-ahead goal in their thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 victory.

After goalie Jeremy Swayman stopped the puck for Hampus Lindholm behind the net, Sabres winger Jack Quinn expected the defenseman to rim it around the boards.

But Lindholm broke ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson ignites late comeback in wild playoff win over Bruins: ‘This team doesn’t quit’

BUFFALO – Lack of experience? No way, Sabres center Tage Thompson responded after scoring two late goals to ignite one of the most memorable comebacks in franchise history.

The Sabres, Thompson noted, played plenty of games that prepared them for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Sunday’s wild 4-3 victory, a game in which they scored three goals in less than five minutes to erase a late 2-0 deficit against Boston Bruins.

As Game 1 of ... Read the full article

After second trade, ex-Sabres standout Casey Mittelstadt might have home with Bruins

BUFFALO – For the next two weeks or so, the lasting friendships Boston Bruins winger Casey Mittelstadt made over his six years here are on hold.

Mittelstadt, 27, said he loved his time with the Sabres and is happy they ended their NHL-record 14-year drought and cracked the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“But I’m on the other side of it now,” he said prior to Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Sabres in Game 1 of their ... Read the full article

Long-awaited trip to playoffs brings out fans’ rabid enthusiasm; Sabres refuse to jab back at Bruins’ Marco Sturm

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff sees it and feels it everywhere. Sabres flags flap on cars and proudly hang on porches. Signs are plastered all over town. Some, the coach pointed out, tell fans to honk for their beloved team.

Off-the-charts-enthusiasm has accompanied the Sabres’ first trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011.

In Ruff’s first stint here, the excitement never reached this level. Sure, fans showed their passion. But the Sabres, who host the ... Read the full article

Injured Sabres Noah Ostlund, Alex Lyon return to practice; Buffalo could make lineup change for Game 1 of playoffs

BUFFALO – Expect to see rookie forward Noah Ostlund return from his upper-body injury during the Sabres’ first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Ostlund, 22, practiced as an extra Saturday, his first session since going down March 25 late in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins.

The best-of-seven series starts tonight at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

During lean years, Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson never lost belief Sabres would make playoffs

BUFFALO – During those dark days, when doubt and negativity could creep in, Sabres stars Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch would often stay positive by talking about the talent that surrounded them.

They had too much of it for the losing to drag on forever. Players possessed maturity – a strong work ethic and desire to improve – to complement their skill.

Sooner or later, the Sabres had to start winning, right?... Read the full article

Sabres will open playoffs Sunday; Alex Lyon ready to practice

BUFFALO – The NHL announced this afternoon the Sabres will be opening the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday.

When will Game 1 of the first-round series be starting? Well, the time and the rest of the schedule will be released later, likely after the conclusion of tonight’s games.

“As long as they let us know by Sunday morning,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cracked following this afternoon’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Sabres rest top players against Stars as attention turns to Bruins in playoffs

BUFFALO – The outcome of Wednesday’s regular-season finale, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, is irrelevant.

The Sabres, having clinched the Atlantic Division and locked into a first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scratched five of their best players and dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Tyson Kozak, a fourth-line center or spare forward, pivoted the Sabres’ top line. Coach Lindy Ruff used three defensemen on the second ... Read the full article