Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres’ Ilya Lyubushkin nearing return from lower-body injury

BUFFALO – Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, out the last three games with a lower-body injury, practiced Thursday and is day to day, according to the Sabres.

“Feel good,” Lyubushkin said following the session at KeyBank Center. “Getting better and better every day.”

Could Lyubushkin, 28, return for tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes or Saturday versus the Tampa Bay Lightning?... Read the full article

Sabres roar back late to beat Penguins, looking like playoff contender

BUFFALO – Ten games and seven wins into a new season, the Sabres look like they’ve already grabbed their spot among the Eastern Conference’s heavyweights.

The Sabres didn’t just beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Wednesday; they roared back from a two-goal, third-period deficit for the second time in three contests.

In extending their winning streak to three games, the Sabres shook off a weak start, sending the reeling Penguins to their sixth consecutive loss ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jeff Skinner racking up assists, showing playmaking skills

BUFFALO – Jeff Skinner’s stat line looks a little different this season. Through 10 games, the Sabres winger has registered two goals and eight assists.

Why is that unusual? Well, only three times in 12 NHL seasons – in his first two years and again in 2017-18 – has Skinner finished with more assists than goals.

Over his career, Skinner, an aggressive, shifty presence, has scored 300 goals and registered 252 assists. He’s known more ... Read the full article

Sabres expect ‘angry’ Penguins team; Eric Comrie starts again

BUFFALO – The Pittsburgh Penguins limped into town this morning in the midst of one of their worst stretches in recent memory.

In Tuesday’s 6-5 home loss to the Boston Bruins, they blew three-goal second-period lead before falling in overtime. At least the Penguins earned a point, ending their four-game regulation losing streak.

They lost every game of their western road trip late last month, scoring just six goals.... Read the full article

After slow start and short break, Sabres rookie Jack Quinn starting to catch fire

BUFFALO – The genesis of Jack Quinn’s quick turnaround can be traced to, of all places, the press box in Edmonton. It was there following two weak outings that the rookie winger sat out the first of two games as part of the Sabres’ forward rotation.

Quinn, 21, looked overwhelmed after cracking the big club out of training camp, failing to make any early impact. So Sabres coach Don Granato said they scratched the ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson dynamic in win, enjoys one of greatest nights in Sabres history

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson stood at his locker following the best outing of his career, a dynamic three-goal, six-point effort in Monday’s 8-3 victory, and it was hard to tell if he had done anything in the game.

Thompson’s slow start this season already feels like a distant memory. Prior to center Dylan Cozens’ third-period goal against the Detroit Red Wings, he recorded a point on eight straight Sabres goals over two games, ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Buffalo adds defenseman; Jacob Bryson seizing leading role

BUFFALO – Just nine games in, the Sabres have already dipped deep into their defense reserves. Hours before Monday’s 8-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings, they recalled Jeremy Davies from the Rochester Americans.

Davies, 25, is the ninth defenseman who has been on the roster this season.

“We’re banged up on the back end and that’s the need, pressing need right now,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Monday prior to Davies’ recall.

They summoned ... Read the full article

Ilya Lyubushkin out again; Sabres plan to add new defenseman

BUFFALO – After forward Riley Sheahan clears waivers or is claimed this afternoon, the Sabres plan to recall a defenseman from the Rochester Americans.

“We’re banged up on the back end and that’s the need, pressing need right now,” Sabres coach Don Granato said this morning.

Right now, having lost three defensemen – Henri Jokiharju, Ilya Lyubushkin and Mattias Samuelsson are all injured – the Sabres sorely help.

Their options, however, are limited. They’ve already ... Read the full article

Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn and other Sabres making best of rotation

BUFFALO – For two recent games, Sabres winger Peyton Krebs sat in the press box in his suit and tie scribbling notes as he watched the action unfold below him.

Krebs, 21, enjoyed regular duty as last season progressed, playing 48 times and establishing himself as a member of the Sabres’ talented young core.

But right now, even after waiving Riley Sheahan on Sunday, the Sabres still have 13 healthy forwards, meaning one must sit ... Read the full article

Sabres place Riley Sheahan on waivers

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday placed forward Riley Sheahan, who hasn’t played a game this season, on waivers, according to reports.

If Sheahan, 30, clears, he could be assigned to the Rochester Americans.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound Sheahan has been serving as the Sabres’ 14th forward since recovering from a muscle injury. They could use his roster spot to recall a defenseman.... Read the full article