Buffalo News

'The Lightning were 18-6-2 in their previous 26 games and 35-1-1 when leading at the second intermission. The Sabres showed what they can accomplish as a team when they commit to the smart, disciplined approach that coach Lindy Ruff has been pushing them to adopt since the season began in October.' … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson’s 40th goal a reminder that offense isn’t a problem for Sabres: Takeaways

'The Bruins fired coach Jim Montgomery in November and he was immediately swooped up by St. Louis, where he entered the weekend on an 11-game win streak. Montgomery didn’t make a mess of contract negotiations with goaltender Jeremy Swayman. That was the fault of Sweeney and team president Cam Neely. Interim coach Joe Sacco hasn’t gotten the job done and it seems like the Bruins … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Bruins finally took the step back but Sabres didn’t capitalize on it

'“Nothing but good, the way he’s played, the way he’s defended while he’s operated with the puck,” the Ruff said. “He’s put together a real good year. I think it’s just a player finding his path and he feels comfortable. It’s a hard league to play in, but he’s progressed, and he’s pushed himself to where he’s become one of the top players down there.”' … [Read more...] about Red-hot in Rochester, Sabres give Noah Ostlund, 21, his first NHL call

'A week after that dinner, on the night that Gretzky broke the record instead, Perreault had a hat trick that staked the Sabres to a 3-1 lead. The old lion roared – and then, after the Edmonton Oilers had tied it, 3-3, their young lion roared back.' … [Read more...] about Erik Brady: Ovechkin’s chase of Gretzky recalls Gretzky’s chase of Esposito – in Buffalo

'The Sabres need to keep pushing with another back-to-back coming this weekend in KeyBank Center against Tampa Bay and Boston. Most opponents other than the Bruins are fighting hard for their playoff positions. Individuals on both sides are striving for key numbers. And while late-season games aren’t predictors of future success, they’re absolutely used as evaluation tools.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: What impact does this run of good hockey have on the Sabres next season?

'“If I’m scoring, I’m helping the team in that aspect,” said Thompson, who signed a seven-year contract with Buffalo in August 2022. “Obviously, I want to continue to improve other parts of my game, but we haven’t won since I’ve been here so there’s a lot more I can do. I have to continue to grow and get better. When you’re scoring, it’s nice. It helps the team. Obviously, … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson scores 39th in win, but ‘winning is first priority’: Takeaways from Ottawa

'The St. Joe’s graduate was in the process of buying a house in Western New York. His one-year contract expires in July, but he became a respected voice and beloved teammate since the Sabres’ season began in Prague.' … [Read more...] about ‘Surprised’ by trade, Buffalo’s Dennis Gilbert adjusting to different role with Senators

'That is up $980 million from last year, despite all the money Pegula is pouring into building a $2.2 billion stadium under construction in Orchard Park.' … [Read more...] about Pegula’s net worth up to projected $7.6B, according to Forbes

'The new stadium is scheduled to open in July 2026, and Guelli said 2028-29 is the target for bidding for either the Winter Classic or a Stadium Series game.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres interested in hosting outdoor game at new Highmark Stadium

'"I feel like we have a better mentality now," said Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin. "When it’s a tight or close game, we just keep going. That’s kind of what we struggled with early on in the season. I think we’ve matured throughout the season and kind of learned that a one-goal game is no problem. That’s the biggest lesson we’ve learned this year."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ win over Caps a reminder of what they could have accomplished this season

'“We’ve got work to do, and nobody is hiding from it, and (owner) Terry (Pegula) and I are in constant conversation with (general manager) Kevyn (Adams) and (coach) Lindy (Ruff), and it’s a topic Terry and I discuss on a regular basis,” Guelli said. “We know we need to get it right, and we know there is nothing we can say to any fan that would satisfy them. We’re going to … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres COO Pete Guelli understands fans’ disappointment amid another bad season

'The mistakes by Byram and Benson were among the numerous mishaps by the Sabres after they took the lead, and it cost them a four-game win streak. Jiri Kulich turned the puck over on the Flyers’ fourth goal, and Owen Tippett’s first of two goals was a one-timer on the power play with Benson in the penalty box.' … [Read more...] about UPL unable to bail out the Sabres in another turnover-prone loss: Takeaways from Philly

'“At his age, it’s really even 10 times harder to be captain,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said of his teammate. “Finding his voice, figuring out what kind of leader he wants to be and how and when he wants to use his voice. It’s been really interesting and fun and exciting to see how unbelievable of a leader that he is. He didn’t need the C on his chest. We all knew who the leader … [Read more...] about Rasmus Dahlin still yearning to captain Sabres to playoffs after 500 games

'“The league as a whole has wrapped their arms around what he’s accomplished, and what he is accomplishing at the age he’s doing it,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of the 39-year-old Ovechkin after practice Friday. “He’s one incredible athlete, with one incredible shot and the shot really hasn’t gone down that much over all these years. And I think that’s due to how strong that … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: As Sabres get set to meet Caps, Lindy Ruff gives it up to ageless Alex Ovechkin

'Luukkonen's last start was last Saturday's 4-1 loss in Minnesota. Since returning from the 4 Nations break, Luukkonen is 5-6-0 with a 3.60 goals-against average and .863 save percentage. Reimer, meanwhile, is 3-2-1, 2.92/.907.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook: After mental reset, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen getting back in goal this weekend