Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After becoming Sabres’ No. 1 center, Jiri Kulich returns to Rochester Amerks for starring role in playoffs

ROCHESTER – Americans center Jiri Kulich has returned to where he starred for two seasons as a more accomplished and mature player.

When the Buffalo Sabres assigned him to the AHL for a four-game stint in early November, they had just spent a month easing him into the lineup, playing the neophyte at the wing and occasionally scratching him.

Kulich, who will play for the Amerks in tonight’s opener of the Calder Cup Playoffs at ... Read the full article

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

Can late-season growth keep Sabres’ offseason changes to a minimum?

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin processed the question, searched for the right words and moved back in his chair a bit.

What has general manager Kevyn Adams told him that makes him believe the Sabres can finally get it done and reach the playoffs?

Dahlin, sporting a white hoodie and black Bills hat with a blue backdrop adorned with Sabres logos behind him, spoke confidently. While he refused to get into specifics of his ... Read the full article

Sabres send four prospects back to Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Friday sent four of their top forward prospects – Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen and Tyson Kozak – back the Rochester Americans.

Kulich, Ostlund, Rosen all played for the Sabres in Thursday’s season-ending 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center. They sat out Rochester’s home game Friday against the Toronto Marlies. Kozak has been out injured with a hip strain.

The Amerks have one regular-season game left ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek possessed special ability similar to Sabres star Tage Thompson’s

BUFFALO – Twice earlier this week, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was asked if winger Tage Thompson’s dynamic ability to shoot the puck and finish reminded him of anyone.

The first time, Ruff acknowledged he couldn’t offer a good answer. But after reflecting and putting more thought into it, he had a name ready.

“I’d probably put Thomas Vanek in that category,” Ruff said prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

James Reimer shuts out Hurricanes as Sabres continue torrid stretch

BUFFALO – Goalie James Reimer was within earshot following his splendid 33-save performance in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, so winger Alex Tuch playfully needled the Sabres’ oldest player.

“So steady, so calm,” Tuch said after Reimer earned his seventh straight victory, setting a new career high. “It’s like he’s been doing it for, like, 20 years or something.”

Actually, Reimer, 37, has been tending goal in the NHL since 2010-11, and a ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich never expected to be centering Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – If someone had told Jiri Kulich a few months ago he would be centering Tage Thompson on the Sabres’ top line later in his rookie season, he said he probably would’ve laughed at them.

“I didn’t even expect that,” Kulich told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Few expected Kulich, 20, would ascend so quickly up the lineup.

The Czech began the season moving ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson scores a breakaway goal Sunday on Boston goalie Joonas Korpisalo.

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores hat trick in win over Bruins, aims for 50 goals

BUFFALO – Just like that, a 50-goal season might be attainable for scorching Sabres winger Tage Thompson. Six games are left. After scoring three times in Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins, he has 43 goals.

Is it likely he will become the first Sabres player to score 50 goals in 32 years? No, but the prestigious mark is certainly within reach.

Right now, Thompson is the NHL’s hottest scorer, having registered eight goals ... Read the full article

Sabres keep improving, beat Lightning to extend win streak; Tage Thompson hits 40-goal mark

BUFFALO – Over the final weeks of a disappointing season in which they will add to their NHL-record playoff drought, the Sabres have quietly been establishing an identity, showcasing a more consistent and sturdier style while defeating some heavyweight opponents.

Saturday’s 3-2 come-from-behind shootout victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center extended their winning streak to three games. They’ve won nine of their last 13 games and are 11-2-0 in their last 13 ... 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