Jack Quinn nearly scored twice for Buffalo in his NHL debut. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Jack Quinn looks strong in NHL debut: ‘A real good first game’

BUFFALO – To get an understanding of how much Jack Quinn’s teammates like him, two of them, Mattias Samuelsson and Ryan Scarfo, traveled from Rochester to KeyBank Center on Tuesday to watch their friend’s NHL debut with the Sabres.

Samuelsson and Scarfo put on No. 22 Quinn white Americans jerseys backwards so the name and number faced the ice and grabbed front row seats for the pregame warm-up.

As Quinn took the customary solo lap ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has started seven out of the last nine games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen entrenching himself as Sabres’ starting goalie

BUFFALO – In starting seven of the last nine games, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has quickly established himself as the Sabres’ backbone, instilling confidence in his teammates and keeping them in every contest.

Luukkonen, 22, was the Sabres’ best player in Saturday afternoon’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins, helping them earn a point despite blowing a two-goal, third-period lead.

“In Boston, I was on my game from the start and felt like I was ... Read the full article

Kyle Okposo scored Buffalo’s only goal Thursday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Weakened Sabres don’t have answers for Islanders

It was a recipe for disaster Thursday. The Buffalo Sabres played the second game of a back-to-back missing a whopping 11 players because of injury or illness.

Not surprisingly, the Sabres, who had four players make their debut a night earlier, struggled early and fell 4-1 to the New York Islanders.

In COVID times, of course, teams can find themselves down several players in a day or two.

The Sabres have built up some nice ... Read the full article

Craig Anderson hasn’t played since Nov. 2. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Craig Anderson starting ‘to turn a corner’ in recovery from injury

Over the last six games, the Buffalo Sabres have received terrific goaltending, with rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and newcomer Malcolm Subban filling the void created by veteran Craig Anderson’s absence.

Still, the Sabres sorely need Anderson, who compiled a 4-2-0 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage while starting six of the first nine games this season.

The American, 40, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury Nov. 2. On the ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch hasn’t played a game since June 24. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Alex Tuch to fulfill dream by playing for Sabres: ‘Excited as anybody I’ve seen’

BUFFALO – What makes winger Alex Tuch’s passion for the Sabres so unique is that he possessed it long before the team acquired him Nov. 4.

Tuch, 25, grew up in Baldwinsville, about 150 miles from KeyBank Center, rooting for his beloved Sabres. He attended games, owned jerseys and reveled in their success.

So from the get-go, Tuch, who’s scheduled to make his Sabres debut tonight, fit right in. He feels the same excitement as ... Read the full article

Malcolm Subban performed dynamically Friday. ©2021

Sabres goalie Malcolm Subban had no idea he made brilliant save

PITTSBURGH – When Sabres goalie Malcolm Subban skated to the bench Friday after making perhaps the most brilliant save in the NHL this season, backup Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen asked him if he stopped the puck with his glove.

Subban, 27, had no idea his penchant for swinging his left arm behind his back, something he called a “bad habit,” resulted in a dynamic stop.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know it happened,” Subban said of his behind-the-back ... Read the full article

Malcolm Subban smiles after his 45-save performance Friday. ©2021

Sabres’ Malcolm Subban dazzles in OT loss; Casey Fitzgerald strong in debut

PITTSBURGH – Having spent his entire NHL career as a backup, Sabres goalie Malcolm Subban is conditioned for busy stretches like he experienced early in Friday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Penguins.

Playing second fiddle means often receiving the worst assignments. On Friday, the Sabres completed a back-to-back and closed a dizzying stretch of three road games in four nights. After beating the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in a shootout Thursday, they arrived in Pittsburgh at ... Read the full article

Malcolm Subban makes a save with Chicago last season. ©2021, Chris Sweda, TNS

Sabres offer Malcolm Subban chance to earn more playing time

PITTSBURGH – After spending four straight years in the NHL, Buffalo Sabres goalie Malcolm Subban suddenly found himself in the minors again this season.

The Chicago Blackhawks’ acquisition of Marc-Andre Fleury dropped Subban, 27, to the AHL, where he shared the net with Collin Delia and Arvid Soderblom.

Playing time, of course, was limited, and Subban only made only five appearances with the Rockford IceHogs before the Sabres acquired him Dec. 2.

So Subban, who’s ... Read the full article

Robert Hagg is Buffalo’s leading shot blocker. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres lose Robert Hagg to lower-body injury; Casey Fitzgerald recalled

In his first months in Buffalo, Robert Hagg established himself as the Sabres’ premier shot blocker and one of their steadiest defensemen. At the same time, the Swede’s affable personality endeared him to his coaches and teammates.

So losing Hagg, who will be sidelined month to month with a lower-body injury, the Sabres announced this afternoon, leaves a significant hole in their lineup.

“We’re gonna miss him,” Sabres coach Don Granato said on a Zoom ... Read the full article

Alex Tuch joined Buffalo last month. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres’ Alex Tuch practices in contact role, close to playing again

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch went through his first full-contact practice Wednesday in Minnesota and is nearing a return to game action, coach Don Granato told The Buffalo News.

Tuch, who underwent offseason shoulder surgery while a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, started practicing in a non-contact role Nov. 29.

“He is close,” Granato said following Wednesday’s practice. “He’s going to go through a couple days of contact and we’ll get a ... Read the full article