Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Tage Thompson ignites late comeback in wild playoff win over Bruins: ‘This team doesn’t quit’

BUFFALO – Lack of experience? No way, Sabres center Tage Thompson responded after scoring two late goals to ignite one of the most memorable comebacks in franchise history.

The Sabres, Thompson noted, played plenty of games that prepared them for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Sunday’s wild 4-3 victory, a game in which they scored three goals in less than five minutes to erase a late 2-0 deficit against Boston Bruins.

As Game 1 of ... Read the full article

During lean years, Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson never lost belief Sabres would make playoffs

BUFFALO – During those dark days, when doubt and negativity could creep in, Sabres stars Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch would often stay positive by talking about the talent that surrounded them.

They had too much of it for the losing to drag on forever. Players possessed maturity – a strong work ethic and desire to improve – to complement their skill.

Sooner or later, the Sabres had to start winning, right?... Read the full article

Sabres rest top players against Stars as attention turns to Bruins in playoffs

BUFFALO – The outcome of Wednesday’s regular-season finale, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, is irrelevant.

The Sabres, having clinched the Atlantic Division and locked into a first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scratched five of their best players and dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Tyson Kozak, a fourth-line center or spare forward, pivoted the Sabres’ top line. Coach Lindy Ruff used three defensemen on the second ... Read the full article

Sabres buying into Jarmo Kekalainen’s message; Buffalo changes lineup for regular-season finale

BUFFALO – In his introductory remarks as Sabres general manager in mid-December, Jarmo Kekalainen stressed how much he values character.

Before he fielded a question, he said he wanted a talented team to develop a competitive and relentless identity.

Today, the Sabres rank among the NHL’s elite, having enjoyed a torrid four-month run and clinched the Atlantic Division. They’ve showcased remarkable consistency, adding tenacity to complement their skill.... Read the full article

Sabres to rest top players against Stars as focus shifts to Bruins; Noah Ostlund ‘really close’ to returning from injury

BUFFALO – Having clinched the Atlantic Division, the Sabres will rest several of their regulars for tonight’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Stars.

Based on the morning skate, captain Rasmus Dahlin, leading scorer Tage Thompson, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and forwards Ryan McLeod and Jason Zucker could all be scratched.

Goalie Colten Ellis is expected to start and be backed up by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

The Sabres could also recall some players.... Read the full article

While clinching the Atlantic Division is nice, the Sabres have a much bigger goal in mind

BUFFALO – No one saw this coming. Sure, securing that elusive spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and ending their NHL-record 14-year drought certainly felt like a possibility for the Sabres this season, at least before they fell into last place.

But a division championship?

Heck, after Monday’s 5-1 road win over the Chicago Blackhawks clinched the Atlantic, even coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged he’s surprised how far the Sabres, who ranked last in the Eastern ... Read the full article

As Sabres struggle before playoffs, visit from Lightning could help ignite them

BUFFALO – A visit from the heavyweight Tampa Bay Lightning tonight might be enough to shake the Sabres out of their recent funk.

In losing consecutive games in regulation for the first time since early December, the Sabres often looked uninterested, failing to match the desperation and tenacity of opponents fighting to get into the postseason.

The Sabres, of course, have been firmly entrenched in a playoff spot for months. They officially clinched their first ... Read the full article

Years after trade, Sabres’ Peyton Krebs becomes first-liner and driver; Buffalo expected to change lineup

BUFFALO – Few envisioned the long and often arduous path Peyton Krebs would take to becoming what coach Lindy Ruff called one of the Sabres’ “drivers.”

Krebs, 25, needed more than three years to get here. He struggled for stretches, sometimes failing to meet the lofty expectations that accompany high-end prospects. He reinvented himself, earning his keep as a high-octane checking forward willing to showcase a rugged style and drop the gloves.

At times, it ... Read the full article

Shootout exploits by Jack Quinn, UPL, cap Sabres’ exciting come-from-behind win over Kraken

BUFFALO – A few years ago, Sabres winger Jack Quinn retired the slick shootout move – a nifty fake in the slot that freezes the goalie – he often utilized early in his pro career.

Goalies study their opponents and assemble a book on their tendencies, so Quinn has developed into one of the NHL’s premier shooters by evolving and showcasing other dazzling moves.

But a move that good shouldn’t be mothballed, right?

After dusting ... Read the full article

Sabres fall behind early to Red Wings, lose third straight: ‘Unacceptable’

BUFFALO – Sooner or later, this was bound to happen. Over a 41-game stretch before the Sabres stumbled this week, they won a stunning 80 percent of their contests.

That they hadn’t endured a three-game losing streak since early December illustrates the dominance they’ve showcased for nearly four months.

Even heavyweights fall into slumps, and right now, the Sabres, who on Friday lost 5-2 to the Detroit Red Wings, are struggling a bit.... Read the full article