Ullmark - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin out indefinitely; Marcus Johansson ready to play

BUFFALO – The concussion defenseman Rasmus Dahlin suffered in Monday’s 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning will sideline him indefinitely, the Sabres announced this morning.

The NHL suspended Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak two games Tuesday for elbowing Dahlin in face.

“We’re just going to accept the result as it is,” coach Ralph Krueger said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames at KeyBank Center. “Again … you would always rather ... Read the full article

Sabres to use John Gilmour up front, scratch Marco Scandella

BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres will simply utilize defenseman John Gilmour as a winger.

So for the first time since he was 15 or 16, Gilmour will skate up front tonight against the Minnesota Wild. He could also move back to the blue line, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and ... Read the full article

NHL debut will be emotional for Sabres rookie Rasmus Asplund

BUFFALO – Rasmus Asplund knows it will be difficult to keep his emotions in check today. Not only is the Sabres center set to make his NHL debut, it’s also Hockey Fights Cancer Night at KeyBank Center.

“Cancer is something that’s close to my heart,” Asplund said this morning after the Sabres prepared for the Ottawa Senators.

Both of Asplund’s grandparents on his father’s side passed away from cancer.

“It’s going to be hard,” said ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Linus Ullmark wants to show teammates ‘two wins’ in Sweden

BUFFALO – When the Sabres visit Stockholm later this week, Swedish goalie Linus Ullmark would like to show his teammates something special in the historic city.

“Two wins,” said Ullmark, who backed up Carter Hutton for Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the New York Islanders inside KeyBank Center.

Ullmark’s words underscore that while an in-season trip to Europe might be special, the Sabres plan to take it seriously.

The Sabres, who leave for Sweden today, play ... Read the full article

Sabres’ goalie rotation has helped boost early-season success

BUFFALO – After watching Linus Ullmark’s 41-save shutout Friday, Sabres goalie Carter Hutton will start again tonight, his eighth nod this season.

Thanks to their two-game trip to Sweden next week, the Sabres’ schedule is jam-packed.

So through 12 games, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger has mostly rotated the netminders, trying to balance their workload. Krueger even sticks to the goalie plan he and assistant coach Mike Bales have devised following shutouts.

“It’s something that ... Read the full article

Jason Botterill says coaches, players have contributed to Sabres’ hot start

BUFFALO – Seven wins in their first nine games have positioned the upstart Sabres among the NHL’s early-season elite.

Right now, having already earned 15 points, they’re tied for first overall and rank first in the Eastern Conference entering tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks.

Few expected the Sabres, who earned just 16 points over their final 33 outings as they imploded last season, would turn things around so quickly.

The offseason additions – ... Read the full article

NHL third star honor caps Sabres goalie Carter Hutton’s interesting week

BUFFALO – How’s this for an interesting week? Sabres goalie Carter Hutton posted two shutouts, yet he didn’t even start consecutive games.

Instead of awarding Hutton another nod, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger started Linus Ullmark both games following the veteran’s dazzling performances.

But Hutton, who earned the NHL’s third star for the week ending October 20, isn’t worried about his playing time. He knows the coaching staff must make some hard decisions.

“I don’t know ... Read the full article

Ralph Krueger has Sabres looking like playoff contender early in tenure

BUFFALO – Few figured coach Ralph Krueger could transform the Sabres so quickly that – gasp – a playoff berth would feel possible this season.

Players need time to understand new messages and systems. Besides, Krueger inherited a hapless team that won just two games last March.

It would take time – maybe months, even a season – before the Sabres showed real progress, right?

Well, six games into Krueger’s tenure, the Sabres are still ... Read the full article

Johan Larsson line, goalie Linus Ullmark lead Sabres past Panthers

BUFFALO – Sooner or later, the unheralded Sabres line of Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo was due to erupt for some goals.

For more than four games, the trio consistently generated offense, buzzing around the opponent’s zone.

A combination regarded as the fourth just a week ago has quickly morphed into the Sabres’ most reliable line.

But other than one Okposo goal, the players hadn’t done any scoring.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark to start against Panthers

BUFFALO – Fresh off a terrific 40-save outing in his first appearance this season, Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark will start tonight’s home game the Florida Panthers.

Ullmark, 26, looked strong throughout Monday’s 4-3 overtime road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, helping the Sabres steal a point.

The Swede has compiled a 2-2-1 record with a 3.18 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage in five career outings against the Panthers.

Sabres goalie Carter Hutton ... Read the full article