Tuch - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres showcase maturity, roar back to beat Ducks: ‘You see the change’

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, a game like Tuesday’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Anaheim Ducks would’ve been a four-goal loss, Sabres winger Alex Tuch said.

By the third period, when the Sabres began roaring back from a 2-0 deficit, they would’ve been toast, having wilted earlier in the contest.

But they’ve matured over the last few months. Perhaps it’s too late to help them this season.

Even after earning their sixth win straight ... Read the full article

Injured Sabres Alex Tuch, Jason Zucker to be game-time decisions

BUFFALO – Injured Sabres wingers Alex Tuch and Jason Zucker both skated this morning and will be game-time decisions tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Ruff said the Sabres will dress an extra player for the pregame warm-up in KeyBank Center.

Tuch, who has played all 55 games this season, departed Saturday afternoon’s 8-2 win over the New York Rangers after being hit in the corner. Zucker, meanwhile, briefly left the contest ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on tear, quietly becoming one of NHL’s top offensive threats

BUFFALO – At his current pace, captain Rasmus Dahlin would register 72 points over a full season, one less than his career high and the second-highest total by a Sabres defenseman in the last 35 years.

Pretty good, right? Well, consider Dahlin has scored nine goals and 46 points despite battling injuries from the get-go this season and missing eight games with back spasms in December.

What kind of gaudy numbers would the ultra-talented Swede ... Read the full article

Sabres score early in blowout win over Rangers; Alex Tuch leaves game injured

BUFFALO – The genesis of the Sabres’ five-goal, first-period outburst in Saturday afternoon’s 8-2 shellacking of the New York Rangers can be traced to their practice sessions earlier in the week.

When the Sabres reconvened Tuesday following a nine-day break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, coach Lindy Ruff began driving them hard, demanding pace. They practiced with purpose.

Their first two sessions were the longest of the season. After doing off-ice work Thursday, they had ... Read the full article

Dennis Gilbert fights, creates goal as Sabres beat Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Dennis Gilbert offered little insight into how his fight just three seconds into Tuesday’s 3-2 win materialized.

There’s a code, you know.

“Off the cuff,” the local kid said of his scrap with Columbus Blue Jackets winger Mathieu Olivier, one of the NHL’s emerging heavyweights, immediately after the puck dropped.

Did Gilbert know when he saw Olivier’s name in the starting lineup they would be dropping their gloves?... Read the full article

After weak response to illegal hit on Tage Thompson, Sabres hold meeting: ‘Won’t happen again’

BUFFALO – No one would reveal any details of the meeting.

But on Monday, less than a day after an illegal hit knocked Tage Thompson out of their 4-3 win, the Sabres canceled practice and instead discussed why they did not go after Stefan Noesen following his suspension-worthy check to their leading scorer’s head.

“It was dealt with yesterday. Everything,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets ... Read the full article

Ryan McLeod’s three goals help Sabres beat Hurricanes; Buffalo records zero shots in odd third period

BUFFALO – In these parts, there are rarely normal games. The Sabres, you see, often make things interesting. They like to do things differently.

In beating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Wednesday, they took a 3-0 lead into the third period before gutting out a much-needed win despite recording zero shots on goal in the final 20 minutes.

How did the Sabres score late without the benefit of a shot? Well, as center Ryan McLeod ... Read the full article

After feeling ‘little bit lost’ in his game, Sabres’ Alex Tuch busts out of slump

BUFFALO – As his slump dragged on and the losses piled up, Sabres winger Alex Tuch said he felt “a little bit lost” in his own game.

Tuch, 28, believes he often played too conservatively, focusing on his defense. He was simply trying not to be scored against before getting off the ice.

“Especially when you lose, you either go too far on your offense, too far on the defensive, and I think I wasn’t ... Read the full article

With rookie Jiri Kulich injured, Sabres recall prospect from Rochester

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich, who left Monday’s 4-3 shootout win after suffering a lower-body injury, will be sidelined week to week, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Kulich, 20, has showcased consistent development this season, earning trust from Ruff to be utilized for critical faceoffs and play center, his natural position.

“It’s a loss for us because of how well he had played in the middle and the speed he was generating,” Ruff said ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson heating up after position change, feeling healthier

BUFFALO – Sabres star Tage Thompson’s recent exploits illustrate he must be feeling a heck of a lot better these days.

To wit: in Monday’s 4-3 shootout win, his one-timer that beat goalie Charlie Lindgren was clocked at 103.7 mph, the hardest shot that resulted in a goal since NHL Edge began its tracking in 2021-22.

Thompson, 27, pumped six shots on goal and played a season-high 23 minutes, 48 seconds against the Washington Capitals, ... Read the full article