WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might have a busy stretch of work coming up. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The goal outburst that helped the Sabres end their 13-game winless skid overshadowed goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stellar performance heading into the Christmas break.
Luukkonen, 25, quietly enjoyed one of his strongest outings this season in Monday’s 7-1 road win against the New York Islanders, stopping 27 shots and allowing one goal or less for just the fifth time in 24 games.
If the Sabres make an unlikely climb up the standings – they ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin registered four assists Monday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres’ season changed the instant their captain, Rasmus Dahlin, began battling back spasms.
After Dahlin, 24, departed in the third period Dec. 3, the Sabres quickly unraveled, blowing a three-goal lead to the Colorado Avalanche and suffering the fourth loss in what would stretch into a shocking 13-game winless skid.
Counting the Colorado game, the Sabres went 0-7-2 without Dahlin, their most dynamic defensemen.... Read the full article
Konsta Helenius has played well in Rochester as a rookie. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres on Monday assigned two of their top forward prospects – AHL rookies Konsta Helenius and Anton Wahlberg – from the Rochester Americans to their respective countries for the upcoming World Junior Championship.
Helenius, 18, will be representing Team Finland, while Wahlberg, 19, will be representing Team Sweden.
Both youngsters played in the tournament last year.... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin recently missed seven games. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin will play tonight against the Islanders after sitting out Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in New York.
Dahlin, the Sabres’ top defenseman, returned for Friday’s 6-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing seven games with back spasms.
“The plan all along way that he wouldn’t play the back to back,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters.... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has struggled to produce offense this month. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
In the last five games, Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson has registered zero goals, two assists, four shots on goal and five penalty minutes.
Not surprisingly, the Sabres are 0-5-0 in those contests.
This isn’t meant to be a criticism of Thompson, Buffalo’s offensive catalyst. He has a history playing through injuries and refusing to make excuses.... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin has been battling back spasms. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin’s absence from Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Bruins was planned, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Boston following Buffalo’s 13th consecutive defeat.
Dahlin returned Friday after missing seven games because of back spasms, skating 27 minutes, 33 seconds in the Sabres’ 6-3 home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While the Sabres leaned on their top defenseman heavily – he played his second-highest total this season – they apparently want to ... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin returned from an eight-game absence Friday. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Considering the Sabres’ sorry state these days, their quick response to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goal 89 seconds into Friday’s 6-3 loss was notable.
Early in their 12th consecutive loss, the Sabres countered after Bobby McMann scored, seemingly tying the game at the 2:34 mark when winger Alex Tuch converted linemate Jason Zucker’s nifty pass.
Then following the celebration, the officials huddled. What was going on?
A linesperson saw Zucker’s stick hit Toronto ... Read the full article
Zach Benson often finds himself in the penalty box. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When Sabres coach Lindy Ruff reshuffled his lines earlier this week, he awarded winger Zach Benson a plum assignment alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.
Barely six minutes into Tuesday’s 6-1 road loss to the Montreal Canadiens, his second game on the line, Benson, 19, was whistled for holding.
“He was going to be in that top line,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said in KeyBank Center. “As soon as he took a ... Read the full article
Ryan McLeod skated this morning. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Ryan McLeod, who has an undisclosed injury, participated in this morning’s optional skate and will be a game-time decision tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, coach Lindy Ruff.
McLeod missed Thursday’s practice for maintenance.
The Sabres, who own an 11-game winless streak (0-8-3), will receive some much-needed help tonight, as captain Rasmus Dahlin is ready to play. Their top defenseman missed eight games battling back spasms.... Read the full article
Dylan Cozens is one of Buffalo’s strongest voices.
©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – How the Sabres lost their 11th consecutive game and the timing of it seemed like it would ignite change in what is quickly becoming another lost season.
Getting throttled 6-1 by the Canadiens on Tuesday and kicked into the Eastern Conference basement was embarrassing enough.
The Sabres fell behind 19 seconds into the game and got run out of the Bell Centre a day after Terry Pegula flew to Montreal to address the ... Read the full article