Buffalo News

'With Thompson and Tuch on the ice at 5-on-5, the Sabres have outscored opponents 14-6 and have nearly 60% of the shot-quality share, according to Natural Stat Trick. When they’re not on the ice in that situation, the team has been outscored 21-20 and its shot-quality share has dropped to 48%.' … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson could be back Thursday, but Sabres need more secondary scoring

'Luukkonen is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury that occurred at practice Sunday. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff pulled Luukkonen at the end of the second period Monday out of fear that the injury was impacting his performance or may worsen without more rest.' … [Read more...] about James Reimer’s return to Sabres strengthens depth behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

'The Sabres entered Tuesday with the third-most penalty minutes (178) in the NHL and they had taken the third-most minor penalties. They have been shorthanded 55 times, sixth-most in the league, and their penalty kill ranked 22nd after improving to 13th under Don Granato last season. Failing to kill penalties is one reason why Buffalo is 7-8-1 and its .469 points percentage is … [Read more...] about Sabres’ undisciplined penalties putting their inconsistent PK in a bind

'“It was a game that, I think, was right there for the taking for either team,” said Ruff. “You see games like this when you’re playing four games in less than seven days. Maybe energy is a little bit lower and that’s when you have to be smarter. We failed that test.”' … [Read more...] about Tage Thompson leaves with an injury: 5 takeaways from Sabres’ ‘unacceptable’ loss

'We hit yet another one of those moments Monday.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Just when you want to believe, Sabres give you too many reasons to look away

'“You know what you’re up against now,” Benson told The Buffalo News about the lessons learned since his Sabres debut in October 2023. “That gives you confidence. The style I play, around the net, behind the net, corners, forecheck. You know how to read the game a little better and put yourself in a spot to succeed.”' … [Read more...] about Zach Benson using ‘confidence’ from rookie season to make impact in Year 2 with Sabres

'Ruff loves what he's learning about Byram every day. Byram is just 23 years old and already has a Stanley Cup on his resume with Colorado in 2022. The Sabres need winning players, no matter their age, and Byram's pairing with Rasmus Dahlin has been a big key of this three-game winning streak.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With lots of points to grab soon, Sabres need to keep grinding through games

'“I’ve talked about it a lot that I want to be part of the solution here,” Luukkonen said after making 26 saves between regulation and overtime, then denying the Flames in each of the three shootout rounds. “I want to be one of the parts that can help the team win and lately it’s been like that. I want to keep going.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres takeaways: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen holds off Flames in shootout win

'The Predators spent $108.5 million to sign three free agents in Steven Stamkos (from Tampa Bay), Jonathan Marchessault (Vegas) and Brady Skjei (Carolina), and it has been a complete disaster. They are tied for 31st in the league in offense.' … [Read more...] about Inside the NHL: Nashville’s off-key foray into free agency has been a disaster

'The combination was simple: Four forward lines buzzing the net and often dominating possession in the offensive zone. Three defense pairs playing solid and steady, minimizing turnovers and coverage lapses. And goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen badly outplaying New York's Igor Shesterkin, one of the marquee netminders in hockey.' … [Read more...] about A four-line, three-pair effort is the blueprint for Sabres in rout of Rangers

'The 26-year-old has been through this before and knows preparation is the key to being able to survive in his role. The Sabres believe in him, too. They drafted him in the fourth round in 2017 and have kept re-signing him. To help keep his shot in the NHL, Bryson took a one-year deal over the summer for $900,000, which was slightly less than half of what he was making the last … [Read more...] about Jacob Bryson trying to make the most of his chance on Sabres’ defense

'"Obviously just frustrated," Samuelsson told reporters after practice Wednesday. "You want to play. You want to be in the lineup. You want to help the team win. I mean, he’s the head coach. He has to make those decisions and, obviously, I haven’t been good enough if I’m in the conversation of being sat. Just have to be better on my part."' … [Read more...] about Lindy Ruff’s ‘kick in the butt’ has Mattias Samuelsson focused on improving for Sabres

'“We’ve discussed what is necessary to win hockey games,” Ruff said after his team rolled to a full-marks, 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. “I’ve probably been more patient than I’ve ever been, just trying to figure these guys out. But there’s a standard you have to play to and the standard hasn’t been good enough.”' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Lindy Ruff makes big moves to enforce Sabres’ standards. How do they keep it up?

'Ruff challenged his players before practice Monday to raise their personal standard and refuse to settle for mediocrity. They weren’t playing quick enough, and he grew tired of watching them repeat mistakes that his coaching staff worked to correct. His decision to scratch Mattias Samuelsson and Henri Jokiharju to play Connor Clifton and Dennis Gilbert produced positive … [Read more...] about Sabres finally deliver ‘textbook game,’ pull away with 3 goals in third period of 5-1 win

'“It just shows me I have to wake up every morning, and I want to be the best,” the Sabres’ top prospect told The Buffalo News. “Those games, they’re showing me I have to work hard, and I can’t stop.”' … [Read more...] about Jiri Kulich gains confidence during first audition with Sabres: ‘I want to be the best’