Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Penn State product Brandon Biro offers Sabres intriguing talent

BUFFALO – Whether it’s tonight against the Montreal Canadiens or later during the Sabres’ five-game road trip, center Brandon Biro will likely make his NHL debut soon.

Biro, 23, has been on a tear for the Rochester Americans, compiling nine goals and 31 points in his last 28 games. The Penn State product figured to earn a look from the Sabres sooner or later.

On Tuesday, with winger Victor Olofsson sidelined by a non-COVID illness, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin returns from injury; Victor Olofsson out Wednesday

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin performed so well during his rehab skate this morning he left the ice early and joined his teammates for practice.

Now, will Dahlin, who missed Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets with a lower-body injury, be able to play in Wednesday’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens?

“They’re worried about strength in the area of the injury and potential vulnerability due to any of lack of strength,” ... Read the full article

Weary Sabres miss injured Rasmus Dahlin, implode against Blue Jackets

The Buffalo Sabres weathered the Columbus Blue Jackets’ early onslaught Sunday, escaping the opening 15 minutes with a 1-0 deficit despite being outshot 16-1.

Then defenseman Mark Pysyk scored on the Sabres’ second shot on goal, igniting his weary teammates. Center Tage Thompson followed at 17:14, scoring his 20th goal.

That lead lasted 10 seconds.

Boone Jenner tied it, and Dean Kukan’s second goal of the night – he entered the game with one all ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin to miss game against Blue Jackets with injury

Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin suffered a lower-body injury Saturday afternoon and will miss tonight’s road game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, coach Don Granato said.

Granato said he doesn’t expect to injury to sideline Dahlin, 21, long-term.

“He was sore after a play that occurred last night and we’re going to hold him back to get some more observation,” Granato said on a Zoom call this afternoon. “Didn’t feel too good with it this morning.”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores hat trick in dominant performance against Avs

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tage Thompson’s penchant for trying to score the so-called perfect goal has added more intrigue to his breakout season.

What might happen, say, if Thompson starts utilizing his quick release more frequently?

“When he realizes not to worry about scoring the perfect goal one inch under the bar, he’ll score double his goals,” Granato said after Thompson recorded his first NHL hat trick in Saturday afternoon’s 5-3 loss. “Just score, just ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Henri Jokiharju thriving on top defense pair with Rasmus Dahlin

BUFFALO – Having established himself as a top-pair defenseman for the rebuilding Sabres, it can be easy to forget how badly Henri Jokiharju struggled throughout much of last season.

This afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche, Jokiharju will almost certainly eclipse the 20-minute mark in ice time for the 11th consecutive game. The Finn, along with his partner, Rasmus Dahlin, will be tasked with trying to shut down Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt set to return from injury

BUFFALO – Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt will return from his upper-body injury Saturday afternoon against the Colorado Avalanche, coach Don Granato said this afternoon.

Mittelstadt, out the last five games, has been practicing and doing extra work following the sessions with assistant coach Matt Ellis.

“He survived Matt Ellis’ workouts and physical battles,” Granato joked following today’s practice at LECOM Harborcenter. “No, but he looks good. He recovered well from a couple of really difficult ... Read the full article

Sabres lay egg in loss to Senators: ‘Not enough work ethic’

BUFFALO –Fresh off consecutive wins for the first time in two months, the Sabres apparently started feeling a little too good about themselves.

Never mind they were only their 15th and 16th victories this season. Never mind the Sabres haven’t had even a three-game winning streak in four months.

“We’ve come in here a lot, we talk about young this, young that,” coach Don Granato said following Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. “This ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Casey Mittelstadt could return from upper-body injury this weekend

BUFFALO – Understandably, Casey Mittelstadt wants to play right now. Having missed 41 of the Sabres’ 48 games this season, the center is likely running out of patience.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Mittelstadt wants to return from his upper-body injury tonight against the Ottawa Senators.

“We’re trying to calm him down a little bit,” Adams said this morning inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Drake Caggiula to undergo season-ending neck surgery

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Drake Caggiula will undergo season-ending fusion surgery today in Los Angeles to repair a herniated disc in his neck, general manager Kevyn Adams said this morning.

Caggiula, 27, has a six to eight month recovery, according to Adams.

“He’s been seeing some different specialists and gathered all the information and then made the decision a few days ago that he was moving forward with the surgery,” Adams said inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article