Tuch - Buffalo Hockey Beat

In ending slump and scoring two goals, Sabres’ Jack Quinn displays talent

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jack Quinn can be, shall we say, a bit streaky. Long goal droughts often follow productive stretches.

In October, Quinn, 24, scored three times in four outings before enduring a 13-game goalless stretch.

He briefly caught fire in late November, scoring in three straight contests. But two nine- game droughts followed, and before his slick two-goal performance in Saturday’s 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks, he hadn’t scored since Dec. 18.... Read the full article

Sabres defeat Ducks for 13th win in 14 games, move into playoff spot

BUFFALO – Some of the snapshots from the Sabres’ 13th win in their last 14 games, Saturday’s 5-3 victory over the reeling Anaheim Ducks, illustrate a confident team whose infectious energy runs up and down the lineup.

To wit: in the second period, winger Josh Doan’s dogged backcheck as Ducks center Tim Washe tried to exit his zone created the Sabres’ second goal.

“That’s part of the game I take a lot of pride in ... Read the full article

Sabres respond after streak ends, beat Canucks before energetic crowd

BUFFALO – For about the first 50 minutes of Tuesday’s 5-3 victory, the Sabres showcased a near-perfect response following the end of their 10-game win streak, pouncing on the Vancouver Canucks and just about burying them.

A 4-0 lead well into the third period usually does the trick. But the Canucks mounted a ferocious comeback, scoring three times in a span of 5:38, including two goals 39 seconds apart to move them within one.

After ... Read the full article

After win streak ends, Sabres to change lineup by inserting Jason Zucker

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently rattled off 10 consecutive wins, they utilized the same 18 skaters most nights, only making changes for injuries.

If it’s working, why mess with it, right?

Coach Lindy Ruff explained the performance within that lineup, not so much the victories – “Just how well the individuals were playing,” he said – forced the Sabres to keep things consistent.

When Ruff, his staff and even general manager Jarmo Kekalainen sat ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson, UPL thrilled to be selected to Olympics

COLUMBUS – In the NHL, Tage Thompson is the Buffalo Sabres’ No. 1 center and most dynamic offensive threat, having scored 178 goals since the start of the 2021-22 season.

But on Team USA’s Olympic entry at the upcoming Milano Cortina Games, which Thompson, 28, was named to on Friday, what kind of role could he be cast in? Third-line winger? Fourth-line grinder?

Thompson, whose surging Sabres carry a 10-game win streak into this afternoon’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson named to Team USA’s Olympic roster

When Team USA left Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson off its roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago, the snub fueled him.

Over the final 36 games of the season, he scored an NHL-high 25 goals. He carried that dynamic scoring prowess into the World Championship in Europe, where his overtime goal clinched the Americans’ first gold medal at the tournament in 92 years.

Thompson, 28, seemed like a sure bet to represent ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund scoring big goals, earning keep after latest recall

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund was within earshot across the visiting dressing room in the Canadian Tire Centre, waiting to be interviewed after scoring again in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win, so winger Alex Tuch joked he shouldn’t heap too much praise on his linemate.

“I don’t want to give him too many props,” Tuch said in Ottawa after assisting on Ostlund’s third goal in five games since the Sabres recalled him for the third ... Read the full article

Bowen Byram dynamic in OT victory as Sabres extend streak to seven, move closer to playoff spot

OTTAWA – Coach Lindy Ruff hardly wanted to criticize defensemen Bowen Byram, the best player on the ice in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime victory that extended their win streak to seven games and moved them within two points of a playoff spot.

Byram performed dynamically throughout the night in the Canadian Tire Centre, scoring twice and assisting on Buffalo’s other goal.

But when he released the puck from the top of the right circle – ... Read the full article

Sabres win fourth straight, rally to beat Flyers in Jarmo Kekalainen’s first game as GM; Conor Timmins breaks leg

BUFFALO – From his seat in the press box high above the KeyBank Center ice, Jarmo Kekalainen couldn’t have liked what he saw in the opening 30 or so minutes of his first game as Sabres general manager.

Early in Thursday’s 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, the Sabres looked out of sync and sluggish, falling behind 2-1 in the second period.

But by late in that period, as they found their legs, the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Lindy Ruff sad to see GM Kevyn Adams fired, faces uncertain future

BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff walked into the media room, his whistle still hanging around his neck after running the Sabres’ first practice since general manager Kevyn Adams’ dismissal, and stood at the podium looking somber.

Ruff, 65, and Adams, 51, go way back and enjoyed a close working relationship.

Late in Ruff’s first tenure here, he hired Adams as a skills coach before promoting him to an assistant on his staff. Last year, Adams ... Read the full article