Ullmark - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Dan Bylsma disappointed to see Connor McDavid injured

BUFFALO – Besides being a coach, the Sabres’ Dan Bylsma counts himself as a hockey fan.

So Oilers phenom Connor McDavid’s first meeting with Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby on Friday in Edmonton, one of the most anticipated matchups on the NHL schedule this season, was circled on Bylsma’s calendar.

Now, with McDavid sidelined “months” with a broken clavicle he suffered late Tuesday in the Oilers’ 4-2 win against Philadelphia, Bylsma, like most hockey fans, ... Read the full article

Rookie goalie Linus Ullmark impressing Sabres

BUFFALO – Three games, that’s it – just a blip in a marathon season. But in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately NHL, Linus Ullmark’s small body of work is enough to convince some the rookie should be the Sabres’ new starting goalie.

Following a so-so debut, Ullmark dazzled in his second straight start Sunday, stopping 29 shots in the Sabres’ 2-1 road win against the New York Islanders. On Friday, the prospect made 27 saves in a 3-1 ... Read the full article

Will Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark start Thursday?

BUFFALO – Just three games into his career, Linus Ullmark’s strong play has some observers already wondering if the Swede, 22, could be the Sabres’ goalie of the future and present.

Right now, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma won’t let himself think about that. He wouldn’t even say if Ullmark will make his third consecutive start Thursday against Tampa Bay.

Given Ullmark has won two straight nods and has a 2.03 goals against average and a ... Read the full article

Sabres roll over Flyers for win

BUFFALO – So, how many times in the last two-plus seasons had these words been written prior to Friday? The Sabres manhandled an opponent from start to finish.

Probably zero.

In arguably their most complete effort in years, a commanding 3-1 win inside the First Niagara Center, the Sabres dominated the Philadelphia Flyers all over the ice.

Don’t let the score fool you. It wasn’t that close.

“Everything was just going right today,” said Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis out against Flyers

BUFFALO – Some quick updates from the First Niagara Center, where the Sabres host the Philadelphia Flyers tonight:

– A lower-body injury will sideline Sabres winger Tyler Ennis, whose three goals are tied for the team lead, for a second straight game, coach Dan Bylsma said. Ennis missed the Sabres’ 4-3 loss in Pittsburgh on Thursday. He skated briefly this morning. Marcus Foligno subbed on the right wing beside center Ryan O’Reilly and Nick Deslaurier ... Read the full article

Sabres can’t complete comeback against Penguins

PITTSBURGH – A year or two ago, as the Buffalo Sabres rebuilt their lineup from the ground up, a game like their exciting 4-3 loss to the Penguins on Thursday would’ve turned into an utter annihilation.

But against a team that usually destroys them, the Sabres roared back from an early 2-0 deficit inside the Consol Energy Center, their personal house of horrors, tying it before the first period ended.

When the Penguins went up ... Read the full article

Sabres know Evander Kane’s loss will hurt

BUFFALO – The bad news, in some odd way, was still good for the struggling Sabres. A left MCL injury will only sideline winger Evander Kane four to six weeks, coach Dan Bylsma said.

At least the former 30-goal scorer will play again this season.

After New Jersey’s David Schlemko hit Kane hard into the corner boards late Saturday in the Sabres’ 4-3 loss, it appeared he might be finished as he writhed in pain ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Devils, Evander Kane to injury

BUFFALO – It’s not even Halloween, and the Sabres’ season is already starting to fall apart.

If losing for sixth time in eight tries wasn’t bad enough, winger Evander Kane left the Sabres’ 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils with what appeared to be a left knee injury after David Schlemko hit him hard into the corner boards with 9:31 left in the game.

Kane, perhaps the Sabres’ most natural goal scorer, stayed down ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark to make first NHL start

BUFFALO – Goalie Chad Johnson’s shaky 19-save outing Friday in an ugly 7-2 loss to Montreal didn’t force the Sabres to turn to rookie Linus Ullmark, coach Dan Bylsma said.

“We called him up so that he could get an opportunity to play, whether that was tonight, last night or later on next week,” Bylsma said this morning. “He was going to get a chance to play. Tonight’s it.”

The 6-foot-4, 212-pound Ullmark, who ... Read the full article

Sabres implode late, fall to undefeated Canadiens

BUFFALO – Just like the old days. For stretches Friday, it felt like five or 10 years ago as the Sabres’ talent overwhelmed the NHL’s best club, the undefeated Montreal Canadiens.

After falling behind 2-0 early, the Sabres roared back, tying the entertaining tilt just over halfway through. The crowd inside the First Niagara Center sensed something special could happen.

Then, just as quickly as it started, the Sabres imploded for the first time this ... Read the full article