Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

As Sabres join NHL’s elite, belief they can do something special grows

BUFFALO – Talent wasn’t the issue. The Sabres possessed loads of it.

To succeed, they needed to develop a harder, more mature style to complement a skilled roster. They needed to respond to adversity and showcase an identity night in and night out.

Well, for the last seven weeks, they’ve done all of that, joining the ranks of the NHL’s top teams during the stunning 20-3-1 run they carry into Saturday’s game against the Montreal ... Read the full article

Alex Lyon sets consecutive wins record as Sabres continue torrid run

BUFFALO – When the Sabres signed goalie Alex Lyon as a free agent last summer, they likely envisioned an important but secondary role for the veteran journeyman.

In addition to serving as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s backup, he could push the Finn and provide some internal competition, perhaps steal some playing time.

The Sabres thought highly enough of Lyon, a fierce competitor, that they awarded him a two-year, $3 million contract.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jordan Greenway searching for answers to injury: ‘Decrease the pain’

BUFFALO – As he sat at his locker and fielded questions about the hernia problem that has dogged him more than a year, Sabres winger Jordan Greenway let out an “oof” in response to a query about the last time he felt normal on the ice.

“A long time, I’ll just say that, a long time,” he said after participating in Thursday’s optional pregame skate inside KeyBank Center. “Prior to both surgeries, I can tell ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to miss at least week with injury

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who suffered a lower-body injury early in Tuesday’s 7-4 road win, will be sidelined at least a week, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Then we’ll look at it after that,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.

The Sabres have five games left before the Olympic break, starting with tonight’s against the Los Angeles Kings.

After next Thursday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Sabres don’t play ... Read the full article

After tying 49-year-old record, Sabres goalie Alex Lyon enjoys special chat with Gerry Desjardins

BUFFALO – Early Sunday, less than a day after Sabres goalie Alex Lyon tied the franchise’s all-time record for most consecutive wins, his phone rang. On the other end, Gerry Desjardins, who had owned the mark for 49 years, wanted to chat.

For about the next 20 minutes, Lyon, 33, and Desjardins, 81, talked about the craft of goaltending and the unique mentality needed to play hockey’s most demanding position.

“It was interesting that we ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jordan Greenway seeking more info on injury; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen misses practice

BUFFALO – If the Sabres need him, winger Jordan Greenway could play, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“But he’s really being hampered,” Ruff said following this afternoon’s short practice in KeyBank Center.

Greenway, who has undergone surgery to repair a sports hernia twice in about the last 13 months, has recently been on a load-management plan.

The Canton native doesn’t play on back-to-back days and often sits out practices to rest or do off-ice work.... Read the full article

In trying season, Rasmus Dahlin enjoys dynamic night in win over Maple Leafs; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen injured

TORONTO – Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin processed the question following his dynamic three-goal, five-point performance in Tuesday’s 7-4 win over the Maple Leafs and searched for the right words.

The defenseman never quite found them.

Over the last seven months, Dahlin has been through, for lack of a better word, hell.

In September, he revealed his fiancée, Carolina Matovac, has been rehabbing after experiencing major heart failure and undergoing a heart transplant in the ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Metsa feeling more comfortable in NHL; Michael Kesselring happy to record first point

TORONTO – Zach Metsa’s first tour around the NHL has given him a special opportunity to visit come of hockey’s most hallowed rinks and soak in each unique experience.

“I’ve been fired up for it,” the Buffalo Sabres rookie told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s game against the Maple Leafs. “I’m lucky.”

Metsa, 27, made his big league debut in Montreal’s Bell Centre and earlier this month played his first game at New York’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Lindy Ruff grew up Maple Leafs fan: ‘I hate to say this’

TORONTO – Coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged, a bit sheepishly, he once rooted for the Buffalo Sabres’ Atlantic Division rival.

“I hate to say this, but I was a Leafs fan growing up,” Ruff said this morning in Scotiabank Arena.

Ruff, one of most revered figures in Sabres history, made his admission because Maple Leafs icon Darryl Sittler will be honored prior to tonight’s game for the 50th anniversary of his legendary 10-point outing.... Read the full article

Beck Malenstyn scoring, paying price physically to help Sabres win

TORONTO – By coach Lindy Ruff’s estimation, it happens at least twice each Buffalo Sabres game. Inevitably, heavy winger Beck Malenstyn makes a couple of under-the-radar plays, often paying a price physically.

“Plays guys are looking at that are not plays that get glorified in a game like a goal does,” Ruff said following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.

Of course, Malenstyn, having scored four times this season, chips in the occasional goal. In fact, ... Read the full article