Samuelsson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After struggling and getting scratched, Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson thrived late

BUFFALO – If Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson could do it over again, he would make New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen pay for the suspect hit that concussed teammate Tage Thompson.

Four other Sabres skaters were on the ice Feb. 2 when Noesen thumped the Sabres’ leading scorer in the head. None of them went after him.

The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson, however, bore the brunt of the criticism for the team’s inaction as a woozy ... Read the full article

Sabres win again, sweep season series from Senators; Tyson Kozak injured

OTTAWA – The Buffalo Sabres’ recent victories – Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the Senators was their second straight and fifth in their last six games – come with a caveat. They fell out of playoff contention long ago, meaning the contests, at least standings-wise, are meaningless.

The pressure has been off the Sabres for weeks. Playing looser surely helps them.

Still, these wins illustrate coach Lindy Ruff’s message is sinking in. While it took months, ... Read the full article

Sabres use second-period outburst to beat Penguins after Sidney Crosby sets point-per-game seasons record

BUFFALO – In almost 37 minutes over two abbreviated starts against the Sabres this season, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry looked downright awful, allowing seven goals on 17 shots and getting yanked twice.

It must be noted the Sabres lost the first game they chased Jarry, the start of disturbing stretch in which they dropped five contests when the starting netminder departed.

On Thursday, however, the Sabres kept throttling the hapless Penguins and Alex Nedeljkovic, ... Read the full article

Isak Rosen knows he must produce for Sabres: ‘I need to play better’

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Isak Rosen understands the opportunities he has recently enjoyed are difficult to earn.

Rosen, the Rochester Americans’ leading scorer, has been recalled three times this month as the Sabres deal with a depleted forward corps.

They’re giving the Swede, the 14th overall pick in 2021, a chance to showcase the talent that has helped him score 27 goals and 54 points in 55 games this season.... Read the full article

As trade deadline approaches, Sabres must make difficult roster decisions

BUFFALO – It’s over for this edition of Sabres. The same group of young talent that appeared to be on the precipice of something special two years ago will almost certainly be broken up in the coming days and months.

Expect some moves, possibly minor ones, to be made prior to Friday’s trade deadline. The last-place Sabres, after all, have players set to become unrestricted free agents following the season.

Significant deals, of course, usually ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson plays after sitting as healthy scratch

BUFFALO – After becoming a healthy scratch and recovering from a lower-body injury, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson seemed to recapture some of his old form and solidify a regular spot.

Well, Samuelsson, 24, briefly fell out of the lineup again.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reinserted him for Tuesday’s 6-2 setback to the San Jose Sharks after scratching him for Monday’s 4-3 overtime road loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

To create a spot, the Sabres scratched ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Mattias Samuelsson set to play after breaking bone in foot

BUFFALO – In his last outing on Feb. 2, Mattias Samuelsson blocked a shot, something he has done 55 times this season. This time, however, the puck hit the oft-injured Sabres defenseman in just the right spot, breaking a bone in his foot.

“So the foot just blew up,” Samuelsson said following Tuesday’s practice in KeyBank Center, his first session since going down. “I couldn’t really put it in my skate.”

The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Samuelsson ... Read the full article

Sabres injury updates: Tage Thompson skates, Dylan Cozens misses practice

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Tage Thompson, who left Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win injured after New Jersey Devils pest Stefan Noesen hit him in the head, skated on his own Wednesday morning, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Had a good day,” Ruff said following Wednesday’ practice in KeyBank Center. “I mean, he’s got to go through the protocol, the testing, all that stuff. But really felt good, so encouraged.”

In other injury news, Ruff said goalie Ukko-Pekka ... Read the full article

After weak response to illegal hit on Tage Thompson, Sabres hold meeting: ‘Won’t happen again’

BUFFALO – No one would reveal any details of the meeting.

But on Monday, less than a day after an illegal hit knocked Tage Thompson out of their 4-3 win, the Sabres canceled practice and instead discussed why they did not go after Stefan Noesen following his suspension-worthy check to their leading scorer’s head.

“It was dealt with yesterday. Everything,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets ... Read the full article

Injury gave Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson chance to reset mentally, find game

BUFFALO – Looking back on it, Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson considers the lower-body injury he suffered earlier this season to be a blessing in disguise.

A few months ago, Samuelsson, 24, acknowledged he was “just in my head about a lot of things.”

“Worrying about things we can’t control,” he told the Times Herald following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “When you’re like that, you’re obviously not playing your best and not playing free.”... Read the full article