Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres roar back, beat Canadiens

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, the Sabres would’ve wilted in a game like Thursday’s wild 4-3 comeback victory against the Montreal Canadiens.

The upstart Sabres fell behind by one goal three times, including just 77 seconds into the tilt and again early in the third period. Each time, however, they rallied, refusing to deviate from their game plan.

“You just stay calm, composed, collected and good things happen,” said winger Kyle Okposo, whose power-play ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Sam Reinhart looking better beside new linemates

BUFFALO – Points-wise, Sabres winger Sam Reinhart began Thursday’s 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens enjoying the best nine-game start of his career.

Of course, Reinhart, 22, hadn’t exactly experienced a rollicking October before his first goal this season tied Thursday’s contest at 13:07 into the third period. So far, he has six points.

Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 games, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart generating more offense beside new linemates

BUFFALO – Points-wise, this is the best start of Sam Reinhart’s career. In his first nine outings of a season, the Sabres winger had never hit the five-point mark.

Of course, Reinhart, 22, hasn’t exactly enjoyed a rollicking October. He has zero goals and five assists entering tonight’s tilt against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center.

Fresh off a 25-goal, 50-point campaign in which he scored 18 goals and 37 points over the final 38 ... Read the full article

‘Little pest’ Jeff Skinner scoring, feeling comfortable with Sabres

BUFFALO – For years, Sabres newcomer Jeff Skinner annoyed defenseman Jake McCabe.

Skinner constantly hounds the puck, forechecking and backchecking ferociously. The shifty winger often escapes defenders who believe they have him stymied.

When the diminutive Skinner grabs the puck, you can be sure he will beeline to the net. And after the whistle, the three-time 30-goal scorer loves talking a little trash.

“He’s just a little pest,” McCabe said Wednesday inside KeyBank Center. “Yeah, ... Read the full article

Sabres must showcase speed against upstart Canadiens

BUFFALO – Early in this morning’s practice, the Sabres’ first full session since winning two road games over the weekend, coach Phil Housley did not like his team’s pace.

So Housley, who rarely raises his voice, briefly ripped into the Sabres as they prepared for Thursday’s home tilt against the Montreal Canadiens.

“We’re too (expletive) slow right now!” Housley shouted on the HarborCenter ice. “We got to attack with speed!”... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian providing spark after return from injury

BUFFALO – When Zach Bogosian was informed he leads the NHL in fighting majors, the Buffalo Sabres defenseman responded with some self-deprecating humor.

“I’m just a meathead, huh?” Bogosian joked following Tuesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center.

Bogosian, of course, isn’t a goon. Over his first 10 seasons, he fought only 16 times, according to hockeyfights.com, an average of one scrap every 35 games. He hadn’t fought three times in a season since 2009-10.... Read the full article

Slow start against Sharks set stage for Sabres’ terrific weekend

BUFFALO – If the Sabres eventually morph into a playoff team, remember the significance of the five-game road trip they just completed, especially the back-to-back wins they closed with in Los Angeles and Anaheim.

The Sabres went 3-2-0 on the 10-day trip, starting with a 3-0 victory over the Arizona Coyotes before suffering consecutive losses.

While they fell behind 2-0 in Thursday’s 5-1 setback to the San Jose Sharks, they got back in the game, ... Read the full article

Sabres sign prospect Matej Pekar to entry-level contract

Just 10 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts was enough to convince the Buffalo Sabres center Matej Pekar has a future in pro hockey.

The Sabres have signed Pekar to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced today. They drafted the Czech in the fourth-round earlier this year, 94th overall.

The OHL rookie has already compiled six goals and 11 points this season.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian set to return

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian, who hasn’t played a regular-season game since Jan. 9, will return for Tuesday’s tilt against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Bogosian, 28, underwent season-ending hip surgery in February. The Sabres eased him along in training camp, holding him out of some practices.

But Bogosian suffered a lower-body injury during a Sept. 25 preseason game. He has refused to say if it was related to his hip injury.... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Rasmus Dahlin scores first NHL goal

It should surprise no one Rasmus Dahlin scored his first goal because he zoomed to the net. In his early days in the NHL, the slick Buffalo Sabres rookie already showcases an aggressiveness few defensemen possess.

Dahlin, 18, joins the rush so much he often looks like a forward.

So it was fitting 2:45 into Saturday’s 3-0 road win, Dahlin, who was trailing the play, moved in from the slot and buried winger Jeff Skinner’s ... Read the full article