Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres goalie Anders Nilsson impressive in limited action

BUFFALO – Dan Bylsma’s knowledge of Anders Nilsson was limited before the Sabres acquired the goalie in July. Sure, the team did its due diligence on the Swede. But the coach mostly knew about the backup from watching him years ago.

“I saw him as a younger goalie in the Islanders organization playing against him,” Bylsma said Friday after the Sabres prepared for this afternoon’s tilt against the Winnipeg Jets at KeyBank Center. “I ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel knows Sabres lost precious point

BUFFALO – Considering the Sabres earned three out of four points against two NHL heavyweights, the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, their short road trip was successful, right?

Well, not entirely, according to center Jack Eichel. Yes, they soundly beat the Rangers 4-1 on Tuesday. But they blew a late lead in Thursday’s 4-3 loss, allowing the tying goal with 2:04 left before Patrick Kane scored 56 seconds into overtime.

Eichel doesn’t care ... Read the full article

Amerks’ Cole Schneider, Linus Ullmark named to AHL All-Star roster

Rochester Americans forward Cole Schneider and goalie Linus Ullmark have been named to the AHL North Division All-Star roster, the league announced today.

Both players have spent time with the Buffalo Sabres.

Schneider, a Williamsville native and St. Joe’s graduate, leads the Amerks and ranks second in the AHL with 34 points in 28 games. His 14 goals rank second on the team and seventh in the league.

Schneider, 26, has 12 multi-point games his ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Justin Bailey’s first NHL goal emotional for mother

WILLIAMSVILLE – The emotional scene that followed Buffalo Sabres rookie Justin Bailey’s first NHL goal Tuesday night “was insane,” said his mother, Karen Buscaglia.

“I cried instantly when he scored,” said Buscaglia, who watched the game at her cousin’s house with five other family members. “Then I screamed and then I cried. We were just jumping up and down.”

As an elated Bailey celebrated in New York’s Madison Square Garden by bending over and pumping ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Taylor Fedun from Amerks

BUFFALO – With defenseman Josh Gorges battling a hip pointer, the Sabres recalled Taylor Fedun from the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

The Sabres start a two-game road trip tonight against the New York Rangers.

Fedun, 28, compiled four assists during an eight-game NHL stint earlier this season. In 20 AHL appearances this season, the Princeton product has four goals and points, tops among Amerks defensemen. His .85 points a game ranks ninth among AHL defensemen.... Read the full article

Sabres’ offense struggling to score after hot stretch

BUFFALO – As expected, Jack Eichel’s return following a 21-game absence to begin the season has boosted the Sabres’ anemic offense.

In 15 games with their slick young center, the last-place Sabres have scored 39 goals, or 2.6 an outing, a decent number. By comparison, they scored only 38 goals, just 1.8 a contest, without him.

So Eichel’s presence has meant almost an extra goal a game entering tonight’s tilt against the New York Rangers, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Johan Larsson out indefinitely after surgery for dislocated elbow, wrist

BUFFALO – Sabres center Johan Larsson has undergone surgery for his dislocated elbow and wrist is out indefinitely, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Larsson, who was injured when Adam McQuaid hit him early in Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the Bruins, flew back from Boston today.

Update: According to The Buffalo News, Larsson told Gotland Newspapers in his homeland of Sweden through a text message his season is over.

The Swede’s absence leaves the Sabres woefully ... Read the full article

Sabres’ woes frustrating Jack Eichel: ‘We all need to get a lot better’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Jack Eichel walked back into the dressing room Sunday looking sullen. His hood was pulled tightly over his head and the normally affable youngster didn’t smile.

A day after his reeling team’s sixth loss in seven games, an embarrassing 3-1 setback that made Eichel lose his cool, the second-year star was still ticked off.

“As a whole team, everyone needs to look in the mirror and we all need to get ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel on reeling Sabres: ‘Everyone needs to look in the mirror’

BUFFALO – A day after the reeling Sabres’ sixth loss in seven games, an embarrassing 3-1 setback in Boston that made Jack Eichel lose his cool, the second-year center was still ticked off.

“As a whole team, everyone needs to look in the mirror and we all need to get a lot better,” Eichel said this afternoon following practice inside KeyBank Center.

Saturday afternoon’s loss to the Bruins felt more like a 6-0 defeat than ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Johan Larsson out weeks with dislocated wrist

Buffalo Sabres center Johan Larsson suffered a dislocated left wrist in this afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the Bruins and will be sidelined “weeks,” coach Dan Bylsma told reporters in Boston.

Larsson’s left arm bore the brunt of the impact after Adam McQuaid hit him in the corner early in the first period.

Later in Buffalo’s sixth loss in seven games, defenseman Josh Gorges left with a hip pointer, Bylsma said.

The Sabres, who just seemed ... Read the full article