Toronto Maple Leafs - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres roar back, fall to Maple Leafs; Jeff Skinner enjoys best game in years

BUFFALO – There were at least three points in Saturday’s 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs – the fluky first-period score and two-goal deficits in the second and third – the Sabres would’ve never recovered from in the not-so-distant past.

Each time, the Sabres roared back, tying it. When they knotted the game at 4, scoring twice in a 59-second span during midway through the third period, it felt like they would earn at ... Read the full article

Sabres could turn to goalie Aaron Dell against Maple Leafs

BUFFALO – A few days into training camp, Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that if the season started tomorrow, goalies Craig Anderson and Aaron Dell would rank first and second on the depth chart.

Dell, who might start tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, had a leg up in the competition with Dustin Tokarski for the backup job. But in the preseason, Dell posted ghastly numbers – a 5.57 goals-against average and an .838 save ... Read the full article

Sabres to play Maple Leafs in Heritage Classic outdoor game in March

The Buffalo Sabres are heading outdoors this season.

The NHL today announced they’ll be playing in a Heritage Classic game March 13, 2022 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ont. Word of the Sabres’ participation in the outdoor contest spread late last month.

Despite playing 63 miles from KeyBank Center, the Sabres will be considered the “home” team for the 3 p.m. game, which will be broadcast nationally on TNT. ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres could play outdoor game in Canada against Maple Leafs

The Buffalo Sabres could be participating in a Heritage Classic outdoor game this season against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Hamilton, Ont., according to the Buffalo News.

The game would take place March 13 at Tim Hortons Field, the home of the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Sabres are scheduled to host Toronto that afternoon at KeyBank Center.

The Sabres did not offer that game in their two half-season ticket packages for the ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel tells Maple Leafs fans to sit down after scoring in Sabres win

BUFFALO – Jack Eichel smirked when he heard the question. The captain had just scored the game-winning goal, igniting a late outburst that cemented a critical victory against the Sabres’ fiercest rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Clearly, Eichel revels in beating the Leafs and sending their legions of loud fans – they comprised at least 60% of Sunday’s capacity crowd inside KeyBank Center – home unhappy.

“I enjoy it,” was all Eichel would say following ... Read the full article

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