Skinner - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ home woes continue in loss to Blue Jackets: ‘We were not sharp’

BUFFALO – Call it a classic trap game. As the Sabres battle for their first playoff berth in 12 years, they have a loaded schedule in the coming days.

Contests against the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, superstar Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, and the New York Islanders, a team they’re chasing, are on the horizon.

First, however, the Sabres had Tuesday’s game against the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets who rank dead last in ... Read the full article

With Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin injured, Dylan Cozens dazzles in Sabres’ win

BUFFALO – Above the din of the capacity crowd, Sabres winger Jack Quinn could hear center Dylan Cozens calling for the puck as they skated through the neutral zone.

Quinn and Cozens, who have showcased terrific chemistry as linemates this season, did not play together for most of Sunday afternoon’s 7-4 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Sabres, having lost top-line winger Alex Tuch to a lower-body injury for at least a few weeks, promoted ... Read the full article

Sabres injuries: Alex Tuch out at least few weeks; Rasmus Dahlin day to day

BUFFALO – For months, the Sabres stayed remarkably healthy, especially up front, where the forward corps remained almost intact.

But now, they’ll be without first-line winger Alex Tuch for at least a few weeks after he suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 3-1 road win over the Florida Panthers. General manager Kevyn Adams said Tuch, 26, is week to week and he expects him to return before the end of the regular season.

To make ... Read the full article

Sabres put Alex Tuch on injured reserve

On Saturday, a day after the Buffalo Sabres moved into a wild card spot, they placed first-line winger Alex Tuch on injured reserve.

The loss of Tuch, of course, is a potentially devastating blow as the Sabres fight for their first playoff spot in 12 years. The 26-year-old has morphed into a star this season, scoring 28 goals and 62 points. Both totals rank second on the team.

It’s unclear what happened to Tuch, who ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson offers Sabres intriguing goaltending option down the stretch

BUFFALO – For five months, the Sabres have carefully managed goalie Craig Anderson’s workload, giving the NHL’s oldest player ample time to recover following his outings.

Only once this season has Anderson, 41, started back-to-back games. The Sabres have essentially limited his appearances to one per week.

Coach Don Granato often attributes Anderson’s success at such an advanced age – as of Saturday afternoon, his .920 save percentage ranked sixth among goalies with at ... Read the full article

Maple Leafs throttle Sabres early in victory: ‘Horrendous start’

BUFFALO – The barrage mercifully ended about 12 minutes into the first period, when the Sabres, having been torched for four goals by the Toronto Maple Leafs, settled down and started stopping their opponent.

Much of the buzz prior to Tuesday’s 6-3 loss at KeyBank Center centered on the Sabres, one of the NHL’s up-and-coming young teams, and their pursuit of a playoff spot.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Dylan Cozens to long-term contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday locked up another piece of their young core, agreeing to terms with center Dylan Cozens on a seven-year, $49.7 million contract.

Cozens, who turns 22 on Thursday, joins defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and center Tage Thompson, both of whom signed seven-year deals before the season.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Cozens has seized a leading role in the Sabres’ ascension into a playoff contender this season, setting career highs with 17 goals and ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jack Quinn’s goal shows growth; Jeff Skinner hits milestone

BUFFALO – A few months ago, Sabres rookie Jack Quinn wouldn’t have possessed the confidence to score a highlight-reel goal like he did Saturday.

“Probably not, no,” Quinn said prior to Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Quinn, 21, didn’t merely roar down the slot and beat goalie Marc-Andre Fleury early in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild. He held onto the puck about 10 seconds, moving from the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo scores hat trick in emotional win following blizzard

BUFFALO – The symbolism wasn’t lost on coach Don Granato. In Thursday’s emotional 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, the Sabres’ first game since a devastating blizzard ravaged the region, captain Kyle Okposo led the way, scoring a hat trick.

Okposo, the Sabres’ heart and soul, has embedded himself and his family in the community, Granato said, making his year-round home here.

“This is life and lots of people in life and death situations, ... Read the full article

At 30, resurgent Jeff Skinner enjoying one of Sabres’ greatest seasons ever

BUFFALO – It’s one thing to recapture your old form as Sabres winger Jeff Skinner did last year, scoring 33 goals during a remarkable comeback season.

But players Skinner’s age, 30, rarely showcase much growth. At that stage, they’re often nearing the end of their prime or past it.

Well, in Skinner’s case, maybe he’s just entering it.... Read the full article