Tokarski - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores hat trick in dominant performance against Avs

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson’s penchant for trying to score the so-called perfect goal has added more intrigue to his breakout season.

What might happen, say, if Thompson starts utilizing his quick release more frequently?

“When he realizes not to worry about scoring the perfect goal one inch under the bar, he’ll score double his goals,” Granato said after Thompson recorded his first NHL hat trick in Saturday afternoon’s 5-3 loss. “Just score, just ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt set to return from injury

BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt will return from his upper-body injury Saturday afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche, coach Don Granato said this afternoon.

Mittelstadt, out the last five games, has been practicing and doing extra work following the sessions with assistant coach Matt Ellis.

“He survived Matt Ellis’ workouts and physical battles,” Granato joked following today’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter. “No, but he looks good. He recovered well from a couple of really difficult ... Read the full article

Victor Olofsson ends slump, scores two goals in Sabres’ win: ‘That was huge’

BUFFALO – As Sabres winger Victor Olofsson’s marathon goal drought neared the three-and-a-half month mark, he started watching video to remind himself that, hey, sometimes a slump isn’t quite as bad as it feels.

In the games before he scored the late go-ahead goal in Tuesday’s 6-3 win over the New York Islanders, Olofsson began feeling better about his play. The clips illustrated the Swede has excelled in some areas despite his goal-scoring woes.

“That ... Read the full article

Sabres to make lineup change; Casey Mittelstadt progressing well

BUFFALO – After sitting out Sunday afternoon’s win, Sabres defenseman Mark Pysyk will return tonight against the New York Islanders and play his 500th NHL game.

To make room for Pysyk, Sabres coach Don Granato said Robert Hagg will be scratched. Granato expects Hagg to sit out just one game.

With seven healthy defensemen, Granato has been rotating players in and out. Jacob Bryson watched one game last week before Pysyk was scratched for the ... Read the full article

Sabres blow late lead to Blue Jackets, lose in OT: ‘We started changing’

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ blueprint for success is no secret. For about 20 minutes against the Columbus Blue Jackets, they played confidently and loosely, opening up what felt like a commanding two-goal lead early in the third period.

“We got that 3-1 lead, we had a couple of good shifts afterward and then we started changing the way we were playing,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said following Thursday’s 4-3 loss, a game Jakub Voracek clinched ... Read the full article

Why did Sabres assign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to Amerks?

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato wants goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to develop a rhythm with the Rochester Americans.

Starting Friday, the Amerks play six games over an 11-day stretch. Luukkonen will play the bulk of the contests, giving him an opportunity to find a groove again.

Luukkonen, 22, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury Jan. 11 with the Sabres. After he was cleared to play Wednesday, they sent him back to the AHL.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Craig Anderson could be coveted before trade deadline

BUFFALO – At 40, an advanced age where most goaltenders have long been retired, Craig Anderson could be coveted before the upcoming NHL trade deadline.

For now, Anderson is the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, an incredible accomplishment in his 19th season. During his limited action this season – an upper-body injury recently sidelined him 32 games – the veteran has been the Sabres’ backbone, giving the rebuilding team a calming, consistent presence in the crease.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt encouraged after returning to practice

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt’s injury forced him to leave his last outing Jan. 30, he refused to let the thought enter his mind.

But considering what Mittelstadt has endured over the past four months – two upper-body injuries, the second of which necessitated surgery – it felt like his season could be in jeopardy.

“I would not let that enter my mind until I heard it,” Mittelstadt said Wednesday after returning to ... Read the full article

Sabres receive good news about Casey Mittelstadt’s health

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that, yes, he was nervous about Casey Mittelstadt’s health. After undergoing surgery to repair an upper-body injury, the center left the lineup shortly into his second game back.

But when Mittelstadt, 23, recently visited his surgeon, he received good news. Granato said Mittelstadt, who had issues in the area of his surgery, will rejoin the Sabres for today’s practice in a non-contact role. The American has been ... Read the full article

Sabres waive goalie Michael Houser, make 10 other roster moves

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon waived goalie Michael Houser and assigned nine players to the Rochester Americans, including center Peyton Krebs and defenseman Mattias Samuelsson.

The Sabres also reassigned defensemen Oskari Laaksonen and Jimmy Schuldt and forwards Brandon Biro, Brett Murray, JJ Peterka and Arttu Ruotsalainen from the taxi squad to the Amerks.

In addition, the Sabres sent goalie Aaron Dell, who cleared waivers Sunday, to their AHL affiliate. Dell just completed his three-game ... Read the full article