WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Rasmus Dahlin was emotional after Monday’s loss. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When the dressing room door opened after the Sabres’ gut-wrenching 3-2 overtime loss in Game 7 on Monday, winger Alex Tuch was sitting in his stall, still wearing his No. 89 jersey and pondering things following what could be his final appearance wearing the Blue and Gold.
Across the room, captain Rasmus Dahlin spoke quietly to the media, his emotion still raw barely 20 minutes after Montreal Canadiens winger Alex Newhook scored from ... Read the full article
Konsta Helenius generated plenty of offense in Game 4. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 3-2 win in Montreal, with the Sabres clinging to a one-goal lead against the Canadiens, coach Lindy Ruff kept utilizing center Konsta Helenius at critical moments on hockey’s grandest stage.
Normally a rookie playing just his 10th NHL game and first in the Stanley Cup Playoffs would be nailed to the bench at that late juncture.
But Helenius, who turned 20 on Monday, quickly earned Ruff’s trust ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looked sharp in Game 4. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
MONTREAL – Last week, coach Lindy Ruff said he relayed a straightforward message to goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as he patiently waited for his next opportunity to play.
“Your time will come, you got to be ready,” Ruff told him.
At the time, with goalie Alex Lyon performing so dynamically, Luukkonen might’ve felt his next start would materialize in the distant future. But Ruff has relied on two, sometimes three netminders all season.... Read the full article
These days, Rasmus Dahlin often has a smile on his face. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson plays alongside Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on the ice and sits next to him in the dressing room. The 26-year-old defensemen, who have been teammates for six seasons, know each other well.
Since the Sabres began their resurgence this season, Samuelsson has noticed a positive change in his close friend.
“I think you can tell it’s definitely helped his mood,” Samuelsson told the Times Herald.... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin said what Buffalo did in its first-round playoff series was “special.” ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BOSTON – Fifty wins, 109 points and an Atlantic Division title are nice, but months ago, the Buffalo Sabres’ season became about a lot more than simply making the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Early in the winter, it became evident they possessed a special group and could wreak havoc in the postseason.
Their opening-round series victory only strengthened the belief can play long into the spring.... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has scored two goals in the playoffs. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BOSTON – In the regular season, Sabres center Tage Thompson endured five stretches of at least four games in which he did not score a goal.
Even the most dynamic scorers – Thompson just cracked the 40-goal mark for the third time in four seasons – are streaky. It’s normal. They’re not going to score every game.
Of course, on the grand stage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, everything is magnified. A short four-game drought ... Read the full article
Jason Zucker believes Buffalo is still confident. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Since the Sabres morphed into an NHL heavyweight almost five months ago, they’ve lost three consecutive games just once.
Their ability to quickly put away games – good and bad – has helped them showcase remarkable consistency.
For the Sabres to lose their first-round playoff series, they would have to drop three straight games.
The postseason, of course, is a different animal. Still, since early December, the Sabres, who on Tuesday lost 2-1 ... Read the full article
Noah Ostlund looked impressive in his postseason debut Thursday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BOSTON – Mattias Samuelsson, having broken his stick, was essentially helpless as he tried to get the puck out of his own zone. The Buffalo Sabres defenseman tried kicking it out, but that only made matters worse.
Viktor Arvidsson quickly grabbed the puck and made a beeline for Sabres goalie Alex Lyon. As the Swede roared in, captain Rasmus Dahlin slashed him, giving the Bruins a penalty shot as they enjoyed a 1-0 lead 9:50 ... Read the full article
Mattias Samuelsson set career highs across the board this season. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It was never a question of skill. Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson possesses loads of it.
At his best, he ranks among the NHL’s top shutdown defenders.
“He’s got every tool in the toolbox,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said Monday in KeyBank Center. “He’s big, he skates well, he’s got the long stick, he’s got the hockey IQ. And then when he’s physical like that, he’s just horrible to play against.
“I mean, I ... Read the full article
Alex Tuch scored Sunday’s game-winning goal. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
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