Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic seals win over Sabres by scoring goal

BUFFALO – Long before he stopped a puck behind his net and flung it down the ice toward the Sabres’ open net late in Friday’s 5-2 win, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was enjoying one heck of a game.

Nedeljkovic stymied the Sabres all night, outplaying his his counterpart, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In the second period, the American recorded the secondary assist on Cody Glass’ power-play goal that would prove to be the winner.... Read the full article

Jiri Kulich’s return from injury will force Sabres to make lineup changes

BUFFALO – In rookie Jiri Kulich’s absence, the Sabres have filled some of the void by moving forwards around and recalling Tyson Kozak.

Kulich, who has been recovering from a lower-body injury, missed his fourth game Friday, a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

When the Czech center is ready to play – he’s on track to return Monday afternoon against the Seattle Kraken, the start of a four-game road trip – Sabres coach Lindy ... Read the full article

Even amid tough season, trading Dylan Cozens makes little sense for Sabres

BUFFALO – Three days later, center Dylan Cozens still felt the sting of Saturday afternoon’s embarrassing 6-2 loss, an ugly game in which he registered a ghastly minus-4 rating as the Sabres blew an early two-goal lead.

As he has matured over his five-year NHL career, Cozens, an emotional competitor, said he has learned to stop dwelling on poor games.

“Or else it will just eat at you and kind of take over,” the ... Read the full article

Sabres blow another lead, implode late in loss to Kraken: ‘Hard one to explain’

BUFFALO – Don’t blame the Sabres’ problems on talent. They possess plenty of it. No, their sorry standing and penchant for blowing multi-goal leads can be traced to between the ears.

They’re fragile mentally, and at the first sign of adversity they often crumble.

Saturday afternoon’s embarrassing 6-2 loss to the hapless Seattle Kraken, a game in which the Sabres led 2-0 in the first period, only reinforced that.

“Mental, all mental,” captain Rasmus Dahlin ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson heating up after position change, feeling healthier

BUFFALO – Sabres star Tage Thompson’s recent exploits illustrate he must be feeling a heck of a lot better these days.

To wit: in Monday’s 4-3 shootout win, his one-timer that beat goalie Charlie Lindgren was clocked at 103.7 mph, the hardest shot that resulted in a goal since NHL Edge began its tracking in 2021-22.

Thompson, 27, pumped six shots on goal and played a season-high 23 minutes, 48 seconds against the Washington Capitals, ... Read the full article

Sabres earn much-needed win against Capitals; Jiri Kulich leaves with injury

BUFFALO – In earning just their 15th win in 41 attempts, a 4-3 shootout triumph over the heavyweight Washington Capitals, the Sabres should feel a glimmer of hope exactly halfway through what has been, shall we say, a challenging season.

The Sabres still sit in last place in the Eastern Conference following Monday’s victory. They must make up a six-point deficit and climb seven teams to reach the second wild card spot.

Still, if they ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ryan McLeod looking for goals, linemates; Buffalo changes lineup

BUFFALO – For weeks, Sabres forward Ryan McLeod has moved around the lineup, skating on scoring lines and checking trios and playing center or even occasionally the wing.

McLeod, who displayed strong chemistry pivoting Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker on the third line earlier in the season, hasn’t found a fit.

Greenway is recovering from surgery to repair a mid-body injury and has missed the last 10 games and 22 of the past 26 contests. ... Read the full article

Injury likely contributing to Sabres star Tage Thompson’s struggles

In the last five games, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson has registered zero goals, two assists, four shots on goal and five penalty minutes.

Not surprisingly, the Sabres are 0-5-0 in those contests.

This isn’t meant to be a criticism of Thompson, Buffalo’s offensive catalyst. He has a history playing through injuries and refusing to make excuses.... Read the full article

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wants Zach Benson to take fewer penalties

BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reshuffled his lines earlier this week, he awarded winger Zach Benson a plum assignment alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.

Barely six minutes into Tuesday’s 6-1 road loss to the Montreal Canadiens, his second game on the line, Benson, 19, was whistled for holding.

“He was going to be in that top line,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said in KeyBank Center. “As soon as he took a ... Read the full article

Owner Terry Pegula’s presence, words resonate with Sabres: ‘He’s passionate’

MONTREAL – Owner Terry Pegula’s words to his reeling Buffalo Sabres, losers of 10 straight games, will stay in the room, players said.

Still, some details of Monday’s meeting have been revealed, most notably Pegula expressing his belief in his players’ ability to find a solution and confidence in general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Lindy Ruff, according to Daily Faceoff.

Ruff said Pegula’s presence during a difficult time resonated throughout the dressing room.... Read the full article