Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres defense contributing goals

BUFFALO – Zero goals scored by a defense corps over a two-month stretch would be surprising for any NHL team, but one coached by Phil Housley, how could that happen?

Housley, of course, is a Hall of Famer who scored 338 goals, the fourth-highest total among defensemen in NHL history. The Sabres coach once scored 31 times in a season.

But Housley’s defense has produced just two goals this season entering tonight’s tilt against the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Jacob Josefson close to return

BUFFALO – During his brief return from an ankle injury last month, Sabres center Jacob Josefson contributed immediately, scoring a goal and two points in three outings.

But Josefson, 26, is a third- or fourth-liner whose offensive production is a bonus. Since the Swede tweaked his ankle Nov. 25, the Sabres have missed the veteran’s savviness.... Read the full article

Sabres practice 3-on-3 to break OT rut

BUFFALO – After losing three overtime affairs over a five-game stretch, coach Phil Housley knew the Sabres needed to start practicing three-on-three hockey.

So for perhaps the first time this season, the Sabres ended this morning’s practice with six skaters zooming up and down the ice inside KeyBank Center.

The Sabres lost in overtime Friday, falling 5-4 when Carolina scored seconds after winger Evander Kane missed a breakaway at the other end.... Read the full article

Sabres waste Jack Eichel’s first hat trick, fall to Hurricanes in OT

BUFFALO – The first hat trick of Jack Eichel’s short career and the first witnessed by Sabres fans here since 2011 deserved to be celebrated wildly.

The slick center dominated Friday’s tilt late, scoring twice in a 10-second span to erase the Carolina Hurricanes’ brief third-period lead and secure the first three-goal outing of his 175-game career.

A night after registering zero shots on goal, Sabres coach Phil Housley said “something must’ve been triggered” in ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian finding regular form after injury

BUFFALO – In Zach Bogosian’s first two appearances following a 25-game absence, adrenaline carried the Sabres defenseman, coach Phil Housley said.

“Those first two games he was our best defenseman,” Housley said prior to Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes inside KeyBank Center.

But after those outings earlier this month, Bogosian experienced a normal dip returning from his lower-body injury.

“The adrenaline’s not there, now you’re in the game mode and getting prepared, ... Read the full article

Sabres could loan prospect Alexander Nylander to Sweden

BUFFALO – If the Sabres want to jumpstart prospect Alexander Nylander’s season, they have a pretty strong option.

Nylander, 19, has endured a rough four months. After suffering a lower-body injury in rookie camp, the slick forward missed all of the main camp and didn’t make his season debut until Nov. 17 with the Rochester Americans.

So far, Nylander has struggled in his second AHL season, compiling one goal, four points and a minus-8 ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson to start against Hurricanes

BUFFALO – Over the past five games, Robin Lehner has morphed into the Sabres’ backbone, tending his best goal this season.

But coming off Thursday’s 2-1 road loss in Philadelphia, Sabres coach Phil Housley wants to give goalie Chad Johnson some action.

So Johnson the backup will play tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes, his first nod since Dec. 2 and just his second appearance in 11 games.... Read the full article

Sabres prospect C.J. Smith piling up points with Amerks

ROCHESTER – It’s early, just 26 tilts into a 76-game season. Still, Buffalo Sabres prospect C.J. Smith hasn’t let up yet, compiling nine goals and a gaudy 27 points to start his AHL career.

So keep an eye on Smith, an undrafted winger the Sabres signed out of UMass Lowell late last season. The Americans’ leading scorer is on a 25-goal, 79-point pace over a full season.

How rare is a campaign like that?... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Victor Antipin learning NHL game

BUFFALO – Five years ago during the NHL lockout, Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly spent 12 games overseas with Magnitogorsk Metallurg, a Russian team in the Kontinental Hockey League.

Thanks to the work stoppage, the team featured a slew of notable NHL talents. In addition to O’Reilly, Metallurg also boasted Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar and Mats Zuccarello.

They also had a 20-year-old rookie defenseman who caught O’Reilly’s eye.... Read the full article

Sabres hear cheers in rare home win

BUFFALO – The Sabres have played 42 periods at home this season, and based on their awful 4-9-1 record at KeyBank Center, the majority of them have been poor or downright awful.

In their last home outing before Tuesday’s 3-2 victory, the Sabres, like so many times this season, got booed off the ice by their surly fans.

That’s why the roar from the announced crowd of 17,454 following a three-goal second period against the ... Read the full article