Zucker - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Peyton Krebs thriving in first playoff action; Josh Norris misses another game

BUFFALO – As he rounded out his game, developing into a versatile, high-octane presence, Sabres winger Peyton Krebs wanted to tailor his style to meet the rigors of playoff hockey.

“That’s what I try to base my game off, you know?” Krebs told the Times Herald on Tuesday prior to Game 5 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins. “Compete, grit, get in battles, make plays under high pressure.”

Those qualities have ... Read the full article

Josh Norris could miss another game as Sabres try to close out Bruins

BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff said this morning that forwards Josh Norris, Tyson Kozak and Jason Zucker are all available to play tonight in Game 5 as the Sabres try to clinch their first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins.

But will they all play?

Norris did not take any line rushes during the morning skate and was one of the last Sabres off the ice, meaning he will likely miss his third straight game ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris could play Game 5; Nikita Zadorov fined for cross-check

BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff said forwards Josh Norris, Tyson Kozak and Jason Zucker are all still being evaluated but probable tonight for Game 5 of the Sabres’ first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins.

The Sabres lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. If they win, they will clinch their first series since 2007.

Norris has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. Kozak and Zucker both left Sunday afternoon’s 6-1 win in Boston ... Read the full article

Sabres dominate Bruins, take 3-1 series lead: ‘Best period we played all year’

BOSTON – Just over four minutes into Sunday afternoon’s 6-1 annihilation of the Bruins, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson hectored an opponent along the wall, freeing the puck for linemate Alex Tuch to grab in the offensive zone.

When Tuch reached the right circle, he fed winger Peyton Krebs in the slot, and the winger quickly beat goalie Jeremy Swayman.

The goal at 4:17, the Sabres’ first in the opening 20 minutes during the Stanley Cup ... Read the full article

Mattias Samuelsson’s memorable goal in Sabres’ playoff opener result of skill and luck

BUFFALO – With about 3:30 left in the third period of Sunday’s Stanley Cup Playoffs opener and the game tied at 2, the Sabres shot the puck in the Boston Bruins zone and went to work creating the go-ahead goal in their thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 victory.

After goalie Jeremy Swayman stopped the puck for Hampus Lindholm behind the net, Sabres winger Jack Quinn expected the defenseman to rim it around the boards.

But Lindholm broke ... Read the full article

Sabres rest top players against Stars as attention turns to Bruins in playoffs

BUFFALO – The outcome of Wednesday’s regular-season finale, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, is irrelevant.

The Sabres, having clinched the Atlantic Division and locked into a first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scratched five of their best players and dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Tyson Kozak, a fourth-line center or spare forward, pivoted the Sabres’ top line. Coach Lindy Ruff used three defensemen on the second ... Read the full article

Sabres buying into Jarmo Kekalainen’s message; Buffalo changes lineup for regular-season finale

BUFFALO – In his introductory remarks as Sabres general manager in mid-December, Jarmo Kekalainen stressed how much he values character.

Before he fielded a question, he said he wanted a talented team to develop a competitive and relentless identity.

Today, the Sabres rank among the NHL’s elite, having enjoyed a torrid four-month run and clinched the Atlantic Division. They’ve showcased remarkable consistency, adding tenacity to complement their skill.... Read the full article

Sabres to rest top players against Stars as focus shifts to Bruins; Noah Ostlund ‘really close’ to returning from injury

BUFFALO – Having clinched the Atlantic Division, the Sabres will rest several of their regulars for tonight’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Stars.

Based on the morning skate, captain Rasmus Dahlin, leading scorer Tage Thompson, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and forwards Ryan McLeod and Jason Zucker could all be scratched.

Goalie Colten Ellis is expected to start and be backed up by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

The Sabres could also recall some players.... Read the full article

Sabres bounce back against Lightning, earn much-needed win: ‘Our guys had great pushback’

BUFFALO – In a grueling six-month, 82-game NHL season, slumps are inevitable. That the Sabres avoided losing two straight games in regulation for almost four months illustrates how dynamically they performed for more than half of the schedule.

But a slump finally materialized last week – albeit a short one – when in dropping back-to-back contests, the Sabres looked nothing likes themselves.

One of the league’s elite teams looked out of whack defensively and struggled ... Read the full article

Sabres fall to Senators in first attempt to clinch playoff spot: ‘We weren’t good enough’

OTTAWA – Barring a collapse of epic proportions, in the near future, the Buffalo Sabres will secure their first berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 15 years, and Thursday’s 4-1 loss to the Senators will become an afterthought.

That they failed in their first attempt to clinch, losing to a desperate and depleted Senators team before the crowd of 17,086 fans in the Canadian Tire Centre, certainly stings a bit.

In their biggest game ... Read the full article