Vancouver Canucks - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa impressive in limited action; Buffalo adds defender

BUFFALO – In his first days here, Sabres defenseman Zach Metsa acknowledged his new surroundings felt “a little bit intimidating.”

“You come to a new spot, new group, new guys around you,” Metsa told the Times Herald prior to scoring his first NHL goal and point in Tuesday’s 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in KeyBank Center.

As an older, under-the-radar prospect who played on an AHL contract for two seasons, Metsa, 27, usually spent ... Read the full article

Sabres recall high-scoring defenseman from Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon recalled defenseman Zac Jones, whose 28 assists lead the AHL, from the Rochester Americans.

Having lost defenseman Michael Kesselring to a lower-body injury last Wednesday in Dallas, the Sabres have only six healthy defensemen.

The Sabres possibly summoned Jones, who did not play during two recalls earlier this season, to serve as an extra defender.... Read the full article

Expect Sabres rookie goalie Colten Ellis to play again soon

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will start again tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, his third straight nod and fifth in the last seven games.

In the near future, expect the Finn, who has played every game since Alex Lyon suffered a lower-body injury, to earn a breather and take a backseat to Colten Ellis.

The Sabres play a road game Thursday against the New York Rangers before kicking off a five-game home stand Saturday ... 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

Trevor Kuntar ran with career-changing opportunity in Rochester to earn NHL contract and chance with Sabres

ROCHESTER – Winger Trevor Kuntar doesn’t lack confidence. The Williamsville native isn’t cocky, mind you. He’s grateful for the career-changing opportunity he has earned and the belief Americans coach Mike Leone and others in the Buffalo Sabres organization have shown in him.

Kuntar, who on Wednesday signed a two-way NHL contract, quickly morphed into the Amerks’ biggest surprise this season, scoring a team-high nine goals while providing critical depth, energy and grit before the ... Read the full article

Sabres send goalie Devon Levi back to Rochester, recall prospect

Goalie Devon Levi’s latest stint with the Buffalo Sabres lasted one game.

The Sabres this afternoon sent Levi back to the Rochester Americans and recalled center prospect Tyson Kozak from their AHL affiliate.

Levi played in Monday afternoon’s 6-4 road loss to the Seattle Kraken, allowing five goals and making 28 saves.

Assigning Levi, 23, to Rochester likely means Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who has been banged up, is healthy enough to at least dress ... Read the full article

Dylan Cozens sparks Sabres’ rally in OT loss to Canucks: ‘Heck of a point’

BUFFALO – After the Vancouver Canucks capitalized on Dylan Cozens’ penalty early in Friday afternoon’s third period, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff knew his center would take ownership for his actions.

Cozens is notoriously hard on himself, and sometimes his intensity gets the best of him.

The Canucks grabbed the lead during the first of Cozens’ two penalties. He also earned an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by letting an official know just how much disliked his holding ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson filled with confidence; Buffalo recalls prospect

BUFFALO – In his five-year, 218-game NHL career, Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson has never felt this good.

“I think confidence-wise, I feel my best,” Bryson said following Thursday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “I’ve been getting good feedback, and every time I watch my shifts I’ve thought I’ve had pretty good games.”

Of course, the 5-foot-9, 177-pound Bryson, like any player, has occasionally struggled. In last Saturday’s 4-2 road win over the San Jose Sharks, he ... Read the full article

Sabres’ JJ Peterka struggling to score; Rasmus Dahlin leaves practice early

BUFFALO – With about 80 seconds remaining in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild and the Sabres pressing for the tying goal, winger Alex Tuch created a juicy rebound by tipping center Tage Thompson’s shot on net.

Winger JJ Peterka, who was lurking nearby, quickly pounced on the loose puck between the left circle and crease and narrowly missed tying the game.

“Just jumped there, tried to hit the net and I just missed ... Read the full article