Thompson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Kyle Okposo scores 20th goal, sparks Sabres to comeback win on birthday

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson had time and space, so he leaned into his shot, and when the puck hit teammate Kyle Okposo inside his right knee, he went down in a hurry.

As Okposo hobbled off the ice in pain late in Saturday’s first period, it felt like his night might’ve been finished. At that point, the Sabres trailed the Philadelphia Flyers 2-0, and Okposo, who turned 34 on Saturday, said he was ... Read the full article

Sabres to change lines against Flyers; Mattias Samuelsson questionable

BUFFALO – In Friday’s practice, Sabres coach Don Granato changed every forward line, tinkering with trios that have recently developed chemistry and enjoyed success.

Granato often explains how he wants his lineup to become interchangeable. While he showcases more patience than most coaches – lines and defense pairs sometimes stay intact for weeks – he’s not afraid to experiment within games or try new things.

So for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson scoring again, evolving into all-around presence

BUFFALO – Since he arrived in the NHL three years ago, the knock on Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has been he’s too one-dimensional, just a shooter who mostly scores power-play goals.

Olofsson, 26, possesses a lethal shot, and he has often utilized his ultra-quick release to pile up power-play goals from the circle.

Over his first 106 NHL games entering this season, Olofsson scored 20 of his 35 goals (57 percent) on the man advantage. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Owen Power impresses again, records first point: ‘Special moment’

BUFFALO – The Sabres drew about 3,000 extra fans Thursday, and you can bet they all came to see ultra-talented defenseman Owen Power play his first home game.

The crowd of 11,565 spectators and Power’s teammates watched him closely all night, sensing something exciting could transpire every time the rookie stepped on the ice.

“Every time he was out there it put a smile on my face,” winger Rasmus Asplund said after Power recorded an ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson faces Blues as one of NHL’s rising stars

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson acknowledged that, yes, the Stanley Cup that Ryan O’Reilly won in 2019, his first season in St. Louis, is always in the back of his mind.

“But at the same time, it doesn’t change my objective,” Thompson said prior to Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Blues, his former team, at KeyBank Center. “My objective is to come here and help our team win and help any way I can ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Don Granato named assistant for Team USA at World Championship

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato, a veteran of international tournaments, has been named an assistant coach for Team USA’s entry at the upcoming World Championship in Finland, the team announced this afternoon.

Granato, 54, will be on a staff that includes head coach David Quinn and assistants Jeff Blashill, Mike Hastings and Mike King.

The tournament begins May 13.

... Read the full article

Victor Olofsson, Sabres continue hot streaks in win over Hurricanes

BUFFALO – In his three-year NHL career, Sabres winger Victor Olofsson has probably never been so wide open.

As the puck rimmed around the left boards with Tuesday’s game tied late, it appeared to be leaving the Carolina Hurricanes zone. But Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin said he “fake pressured” one of the Hurricanes, forcing him to move the puck. Dahlin then batted it down inside the blue line before quickly spotting Olofsson in the right ... Read the full article

Sabres can’t generate enough energy, lose to Panthers: ‘Didn’t have … jump’

BUFFALO – During Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss, coach Don Granato said he heard very little chatter on the bench, an indicator the Sabres, two days removed from an emotional victory, did not feel fresh.

“Entirety of the game, we just couldn’t get the emotional energy,” Granato said after a 5-3 setback to the Florida Panthers ended the Sabres’ eight-game point streak. “It was low. I give our guys some credit for trying to find it ... Read the full article

On Rick Jeanneret’s night, Sabres ride wave of emotion, beat Predators

BUFFALO – It felt like it was 1999 or 2006 again. A chance to honor Rick Jeanneret filled KeyBank Center for the first time this season, and crowd started buzzing long before the legendary Sabres play-by-play man walked on the ice.

Once Jeanneret’s banner raising ceremony started Friday, one of the most emotional nights in the building’s 26-year history got underway.

The capacity crowd roared for Jeanneret, giving him a prolonged standing ovation and chanting ... Read the full article

Sabres illustrate growth with thrilling comeback win over Blackhawks

BUFFALO – Monday’s thrilling 6-5 win, a game in which the Sabres roared back and erased a 4-0 second-period deficit against the Chicago Blackhawks, ranks as one of their most exciting and significant victories of the last decade.

It marked only the fourth time in franchise history and the first time since Jan. 21, 1989 the Sabres trailed by four or more goals and won a game.

How much have the Sabres grown over the ... Read the full article