Ruff - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin excited for long-awaited run to playoffs; Tage Thompson set to play

BUFFALO – As captain Rasmus Dahlin, still in full practice gear and sweaty from a long session, stood behind a podium fielding questions, the topic turned to the Sabres’ upcoming stretch of 25 games in 50 days to close the regular season.

For the first time in Dahlin’s career – he and center Tage Thompson, having both arrived in 2018-19, are the team’s longest-tenured players – the Sabres are in the driver’s seat for ... Read the full article

When will Tage Thompson return to the Sabres following the Olympics?

BUFFALO – In last Wednesday’s quarterfinal game between Team Sweden and Team USA at the Olympics, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said center Tage Thompson, his close friend and NHL teammate, had an opportunity to thump him.

“He decided not to hit me one time in the corner … so that was nice,” Dahlin said following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter, his first session after returning from the Milano Cortina Games. “I think he had a ... Read the full article

15 years ago, the Sabres kicked off the Terry Pegula era in grand fashion

Fifteen years years ago today, the Sabres played their first game under owner Terry Pegula, ushering in what promised to be an exciting and successful era by beating the Atlanta Thrashers 4-1 in an emotional HSBC Arena.

We all know how things have turned out since that thrilling night. Still, the Sabres made the playoffs that season, closing the season on a 16-6-4 tear and roaring up the standings after Pegula took over. His presence ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson, Team USA win gold medal in dramatic fashion

BUFFALO – When practice was set to begin at 10:30 Sunday morning, only two Sabres players, goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, had hit the ice alongside the coaching staff in LECOM Harborcenter.

The rest of the team was watching the dramatic conclusion of the gold medal clash between and Team USA and Team Canada at the Milano Cortina Games.

As overtime began, everyone on the ice skated to one end to watch a television ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson still injured, could miss another game; Rasmus Dahlin set to return from Olympics

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zach Benson will likely miss Wednesday’s road game against the New Jersey Devils with an undisclosed injury, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Benson, 20, hasn’t played or practiced since crashing into the boards and suffering an upper-body injury Feb. 2. Right now, however, Ruff said the youngster is battling a different injury.

Ruff said the Sabres will have more information today on Benson, who’s “doing OK” and has been skating on his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ UPL, Zach Benson near return; Jordan Greenway trying new treatment for injury

BUFFALO – In the near future, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and winger Zach Benson, both of whom were injured prior to the Olympic break, could start practicing again, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said Luukkonen, whose lower-body injury forced him to miss the Milano Cortina Games, skated on his own Wednesday before the Sabres’ first post-break practice.

“He’s within days of joining us,” Ruff said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) battles with Pittsburgh’s Kevin Hayes on Thursday.

Sabres look sloppy in loss to Penguins; Buffalo makes roster moves

BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ final outing before the Milano Cortina Games, center Tage Thompson showcased why he earned a coveted spot on Team USA’s stacked Olympic squad.

Thompson was often the best player on the ice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring his 30th goal and narrowly missing a few more prime chances.

The American certainly outplayed the Penguins’ two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

On most nights, that ... Read the full article

Sabres scratched Michael Kesselring to ‘just take a breath’

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing defenseman Michael Kesselring for Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave the newcomer a chance to reset.

Having battled injuries all year, Kesselring hasn’t found much of a groove. Since training camp, he has dealt with a knee injury and a high ankle sprain he re-injured.

In his first 23 outings, he showcased glimpses of what made him a coveted return in the ... Read the full article

Sabres injury updates: Josh Norris out, Jordan Greenway examining options

BUFFALO – Oft-injured Sabres center Josh Norris won’t return to the lineup before the Olympic break.

Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning that Norris, who has missed the last 11 games with an upper-body injury, will sit out tonight’s contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Norris began practicing again last week.... Read the full article

Owen Power maturing as Sabres keep winning: ‘Best hockey I’ve played’

BUFFALO – Owen Power understands his offensive numbers hardly illustrate confidence or growth. The Sabres defenseman recently ended a 24-game goal drought. At his current pace, he would produce just 25 points this season, eight lower than his career-low total.

Power, 23, doesn’t get wrapped up in his statistics. He believes he has recently enjoyed the best stretch of his four-year career.

Meanwhile, the Sabres enter tonight’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, their final ... Read the full article