Toronto Maple Leafs - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Marcus Johansson looks good following position switch

BUFFALO – Prior to this season, Sabres forward Marcus Johansson hadn’t played center regularly since 2010-11, his rookie year.

Sure, Johansson briefly moved back to the middle a few years ago when the Washington Capitals needed help. But the Swede has spent the majority of his 637-game NHL career playing wing.

“I’m used to (wing), I think,” said Johansson, who returned for Sunday’s 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at KeyBank Center following a ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Carter Hutton game-time decision for Maple Leafs

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Carter Hutton will be a game-time decision tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, coach Ralph Krueger said.

Hutton, who has won three straight starts, missed Saturday’s practice for maintenance.

“We’re testing him at the moment as a we speak here,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank Center.

If Hutton can’t play, Krueger said rookie Jonas Johansson will start.

The Sabres also recalled goalie Andrew Hammond from the Rochester Americans on Saturday.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel sad to see close friend Zach Bogosian waived, leave Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Jack Eichel said he had to stop talking about defenseman Zach Bogosian before he became emotional.

Over five seasons, the teammates grew incredibly tight, becoming “probably even closer than friends,” Eichel said.

“He’s somebody that I went to for just about anything in my life,” Eichel said shortly after Bogosian cleared waivers Saturday and the Sabres assigned him to the Rochester Americans. “He’s been there since I was a rookie.”

Now, ... Read the full article

Sabres make more moves, recall Andrew Hammond, John Gilmour

BUFFALO – With goalie Carter Hutton absent from Saturday’s practice for maintenance, the Sabres recalled Andrew Hammond from the Rochester Americans.

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Hutton’s absence isn’t related to the hit he took from Columbus Blue Jackets forward Eric Robinson in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win.

A puck also hit Hutton in mask earlier in the night.

“We’re quite optimistic about his rehab day today,” Krueger said when asked about Hutton’s status for tonight’s ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel extends point streak, ignites Sabres late against Maple Leafs

TORONTO – It took more than 40 minutes, but captain Jack Eichel ignited the Buffalo Sabres again Tuesday, helping them roar back late in their 5-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.

After falling behind 3-0, Eichel assisted on defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s power-play goal 1:29 into the third period, extending his point streak to 17 games.

Then after the Leafs restored their three-goal lead, Eichel scored at 6:30, his 24th goal in only 35 games this ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Carter Hutton offering advice, support to Linus Ullmark

TORONTO – Whether he’s starting regularly or riding the bench, Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton doesn’t change his behavior, according to coach Ralph Krueger.

“That makes him really unique,” Krueger said. “Like, even on a game day, he’s always there still giving to the team and supporting, whereas often goalies will check out. … But he’s exactly the same guy. Like, you don’t notice a change at all.”

So for the last month, as Hutton ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Jack Eichel draws crowd and MVP talk in Toronto

TORONTO – When the NHL’s hottest player comes here, you can bet the media throng wants to talk to him. Sure enough, Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel drew a crowd this morning inside Scotiabank Arena.

Right now, Eichel, 23, is scorching. The slick center has a career-best 16-game point streak entering tonight’s contest against the Maple Leafs, the league’s longest this season.

Eichel has already scored 23 goals in 34 games, five off his career ... Read the full article

Sabres believe Casey Mittelstadt has right attitude to thrive with Amerks

TORONTO – On Sunday, a day off for the Buffalo Sabres, general manager Jason Botterill and coach Ralph Krueger summoned center Casey Mittelstadt to KeyBank Center to inform him he was being demoted to the Rochester Americans.

After Mittelstadt, 21, got over the initial shock and disappointment of getting sent to the minors – “It’s always an emotional conversation,” Botterill said Monday – he asked what he must to do return to the NHL.

“He ... Read the full article

Sabres showing signs of progress, close month one point out of playoff spot

TORONTO – Following a few dismal weeks, the Buffalo Sabres have quietly started showing signs of snapping out of their long funk.

Sure, Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs closed a disappointing November in which they went 3-8-2, losing 10 out of 13 games.

But the Sabres finished the month strongly, going 2-1-2. Earning points in four out of five contests during a busy seven-day stretch illustrates progress.

They’ll begin December in fourth ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colin Miller trying to stay positive during tough start

TORONTO – Who expected Buffalo Sabres defenseman Colin Miller would be a healthy scratch once this season, let alone six times before December?

But a crowded blue line – the Sabres have seven healthy defensemen, including five right-handed shots – forced them to bench one in eight recent games.

Miller, 27, was usually the odd man out.

“I’m not getting many bounces lately,” Miller said prior to Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs ... Read the full article