WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Colin Miller (33) battles the New York Islanders’ Anders Lee on Saturday. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sooner or later it had to happen. Slumps are inevitable, and the Sabres, the NHL’s biggest early-season surprise, avoided one for nearly a month.
“You’re not going to go through a whole season without facing adversity,” captain Jack Eichel said following Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the scorching New York Islanders, the Sabres’ third straight setback (0-2-1).
After winning nine of their first 12 games, the Sabres, having dropped four of the last five ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark knows the Sabres’ trip to Sweden is about playing two games. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – When the Sabres visit Stockholm later this week, Swedish goalie Linus Ullmark would like to show his teammates something special in the historic city.
“Two wins,” said Ullmark, who backed up Carter Hutton for Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the New York Islanders inside KeyBank Center.
Ullmark’s words underscore that while an in-season trip to Europe might be special, the Sabres plan to take it seriously.
The Sabres, who leave for Sweden today, play ... Read the full article
Brandon Montour has missed 14 games. ©2019, Janet Schultz
BUFFALO – For the first time this season, the Sabres have hit a rut.
At 9-3-2 overall, they’re still in terrific shape, mind you. But they’ve lost three of their last four games (1-2-1), getting outscored 14-7 by their opponents.
A day after allowing four goals in the opening 10:44 of their 6-1 loss to the Washington Capitals 6-1, the Sabres face the scorching New York Islanders.
The Islanders have won eight straight games entering ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has played one pro game. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans assigned Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Buffalo Sabres’ top goalie prospect, to the Cincinnati Cyclones today.
Luukkonen, who hasn’t played since undergoing hip surgery in late April, will likely start one game for the Sabres’ ECHL affiliate this weekend.
The Cyclones play the Brampton Beast on the road Saturday and Sunday.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Luukkonen is expected to become the Amerks’ No. 1 goalie. Veteran Andrew Hammond and youngster Jonas Johansson have split ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson scored six power-play goals last month. ©2019, Janet Schultz
A record-setting start has earned Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson NHL Rookie of the Month honors for October, the league announced today.
Olofsson scored all six of his goals on the power play, becoming the first NHL player to register his first eight goals on the man advantage.
The Swede, who possesses a lethal wrist shot, also scored two power-play goals during a six-game stint late last season.
Overall, Olofsson has scored six goals and ... Read the full article
Rasmus Ristolainen has enjoyed the Sabres’ hot start. ©2019, Janet Schultz
BUFFALO – Instead of offering a short reply, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen kept talking, going into detail why he enjoys playing for Ralph Krueger, his fifth coach in seven years.
By his standards, Ristolainen, a man of few words, was gushing.
“I like whatever he does,” Ristolainen said Thursday inside KeyBank Center. “I like how he communicates with us. I like the way he talks. He talks really powerfully and everyone listens. He’s kind of ... Read the full article
Jimmy Vesey (13) stands in front of Dallas’ Esa Lindell on Oct. 14. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – So much for Jimmy Vesey being week-to-week. The Sabres winger practiced this morning inside LECOM HarborCenter and would like to return from his upper-body injury Saturday against the New York Islanders.
“I got to see the doctor to get cleared,” Vesey said inside KeyBank Center. “If not Saturday, hopefully soon.”
Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said Vesey is now day-to-day.
Vesey was injured in last Thursday’s 6-2 loss, his first game in New York ... Read the full article
Evan Rodrigues is still looking for his first point this season. ©2019, Janet Schultz
BUFFALO – In their first 13 games, the Sabres have showcased one of the NHL’s slickest offenses, scoring 43 goals, an average of 3.3 a game.
At their current pace, they would score 271 times over 82 contests, their highest full-season total since 2006-07.
Five Sabres have already scored at least 10 points. Fifteen players have registered at least four points.
Only one Sabre who has played more than two games is still pointless: winger ... Read the full article
Brandon Montour has missed 13 games. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Sabres plan to ease Brandon Montour into the lineup, so the defenseman likely won’t play back-to-back games this weekend.
Montour, 25, injured his left hand in a preseason game Sept. 17, costing him most of training camp and the first 13 games this season.
Asking him to play Friday against the Washington Capitals and Saturday versus the New York Islanders would be a bit much.
“He’s definitely doubtful for two games this ... Read the full article
Will Borgen has been going up and down from Rochester to Buffalo. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres sent prospect Will Borgen, their extra defenseman the last two games, back to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.
The Sabres also assigned Borgen, 22, to the Amerks on Saturday. He played for the AHL club later that day before they recalled him again Sunday.
Borgen will likely play in Wednesday’s home game against the Providence Bruins.... Read the full article