Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson, Kyle Okposo to return against Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – Sabres wingers Victor Olofsson and Kyle Okposo will return from their injuries tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets, coach Ralph Krueger said.

A lower-body injury has sidelined Olofsson, one of the NHL’s top rookies, the last 15 games. Meanwhile, an upper-body injury has shelved Okposo the past six games.

In other lineup news, an upper-body injury will sideline forward Marcus Johansson tonight. Krueger said Johansson is day-to-day.... Read the full article

Colin Miller finally adjusting to Sabres, earning more playing time

BUFFALO – For the first time in three months, Sabres defenseman Colin Miller has developed some rhythm, playing eight straight games.

In mid-November, the Sabres started scratching their biggest offseason acquisition, and he sat out 16 of the next 32 games, never playing more than four straight contests.

Following two terrific seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, Miller has adjusted to the Sabres’ system slowly.

But Miller, 27, has been performing better since the NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Victor Olofsson, Kyle Okposo could return from injuries Thursday

BUFFALO – When Sabres winger Victor Olofsson started practicing again Saturday, coach Ralph Krueger said the rookie might need another week before he could play.

But Olofsson went full tilt this afternoon, taking reps in his normal spots beside captain Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart and down low on the power play.

Meanwhile, Kyle Okposo, who returned for Tuesday’s morning skate, practiced in his regular spot at right wing with center Johan Larsson and ... Read the full article

Goalie Carter Hutton difference-maker in Sabres’ win over Red Wings

BUFFALO – Suddenly, goalie Carter Hutton has morphed into a difference-maker again, helping the Sabres secure tight games by making clutch stops in the waning minutes.

Hutton struggled for months, losing the No. 1 job and 13 straight starts. Before Linus Ullmark suffered a lower-body injury, he had become a spare part, only playing when the Sabres had back-to-back games.

But in the last week, Hutton, 34, has began showcasing the early-season form that helped ... Read the full article

Simple style helping Sabres’ Scott Wilson thrive following recall

BUFFALO – Earlier in his career, Sabres winger Scott Wilson said he would often run around on the ice, a style that sapped his energy and took him out of plays.

Wilson, 27, realized he needed to embrace a simpler way.

“Being physical when I can but not running around like an idiot,” Wilson said after the turnover he helped create led to center Johan Larsson’s goal in Sunday afternoon’s 3-2 loss to the Anaheim ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kyle Okposo nearing return from ‘painful’ upper-body injury

BUFFALO – On Feb. 1, winger Kyle Okposo was cross-checked during his first shift in the Sabres’ 2-1 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“Something broke,” Okposo said after skating with his teammates this morning for the first time since leaving the lineup.

Still, Okposo, 31, tried gutting out what he called “a freak injury” for the rest of the period.

“I knew it wasn’t good,” he said of the upper-body injury. “I tried ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ralph Krueger believes Jack Eichel equipped to handle big ice time

BUFFALO – After skating a career-high 28 minutes, 22 seconds in Sunday afternoon’s 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Sabres captain Jack Eichel ranks second among NHL forwards in ice time, trailing only Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl.

Through 55 appearances, Eichel has averaged a whopping 22:08 – 18 seconds less than Draisaitl.

With very few scoring options at his disposal, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger has been running Eichel ragged, skating him at least 20 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jeff Skinner battling marathon slump, still playing down lineup

BUFFALO – At worst, you figured Sabres winger Jeff Skinner would score 25 or 30 goals this season. But having performed so dynamically most of last year, hitting 35 or even 40 again seemed possible.

Skinner and top Sabres captain Jack Eichel formed a lethal duo a year ago. For the first time in his career, Skinner, 27, had an elite center feeding him the puck, and he responded by scoring 40 goals.

When ... Read the full article

Sabres stick with Jonas Johansson, nearly roar back against Ducks

BUFFALO – After the Anaheim Ducks scored their third goal early Sunday afternoon, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said he considered yanking goalie Jonas Johansson.

Could you blame him?

Johansson, 24, struggled mightily for the opening 12 minutes of his second NHL start, allowing three goals on four shots after stopping the first two he faced.

The Swede looked a bit off and uncomfortable in the crease. He knew the hook might be coming.

“It ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan Miller’s win in Buffalo special to goalie, Ducks

BUFFALO – On Thursday, the Sabres will celebrate “2000s Night,” bringing back Daniel Briere, Brian Campbell and some other key figures from their wildly successful 2005-06 and 2006-07 teams that reached the Eastern Conference final.

Ryan Miller, the star goalie those seasons, can’t make it. As the only active NHL player left from those popular clubs, he will be in Anaheim for the Ducks’ game against the Calgary Flames.

“I’m actually going to ... Read the full article