WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
2026-27 Season Edition
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has started four straight games. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen knows all about the trade rumors involving his name. Not that the Sabres goalie goes out of his way to read them. But these days, he knows you can’t escape the outside noise.
If he stays off social media, a friend will inevitably inform him.
“I think anybody who says that they don’t see it or they don’t read it, they’re lying,” said Luukkonen, whose name has been bandied about for ... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich was injured during a power-play drill. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres center Jiri Kulich was seeing the doctor this afternoon after a puck hit him in the face during a power-play drill early in today’s practice, coach Lindy Ruff said.
“It didn’t look good, but I don’t have an update,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center.
Kulich, 22, left a pool of blood in the slot after staying down for several moments and being helped off the ice.... Read the full article
Jason Zucker made his season debut Wednesday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Forget that the Philadelphia Flyers entered the night on a two-game win streak and advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
Having started the season a stunning 0-6-3 before finally notching a win in their 10th try, they’ve endured a brutal three-week stretch.
Prior to Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Sabres in KeyBank Center, the Flyers were 0-4-1 on the road.
At home before a capacity crowd of ... Read the full article
Josh Norris scored in Saturday’s game. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Following a freak collision with Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in overtime last Thursday, Sabres center Josh Norris said he did not want to leave the game.
But Norris, 27, had no choice. So as his teammates finished off their come-from-behind 5-4 victory in Toronto, he was in concussion protocol.
“It was just a small thing,” Norris told the Times Herald prior to Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in KeyBank Center. ... Read the full article
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has recently handled the load for Buffalo. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After splitting time with Colten Ellis earlier this month, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start his fourth consecutive game tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.
While Luukkonen hasn’t recaptured the stellar form he showcased most of last season, he has been coach Lindy Ruff’s best option, often making big saves.
Since replacing a struggling Ellis on Oct. 12, the Finn has compiled a 2-0-2 record with a 3.25 goals-against average and an ... Read the full article
Zach Benson has a four-game point streak. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Zero goals? Don’t sweat it, kid. Keep doing what you’re doing.
That’s a not a direct quote, but some words that seem to convey Sabres coach Lindy Ruff’s feelings about Zach Benson’s interesting start this season.
Through nine games, Benson, 21, has been one of Ruff’s best players, generating offense, causing chaos around the net and agitating opponents.
The diminutive winger has a spot on the Sabres’ hottest line alongside center Noah Ostlund ... Read the full article
Sam Carrick hurt his left arm late last season. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Add one more name to the Sabres’ injury list.
Forward Sam Carrick missed Tuesday’s practice with a mid-body injury and is day to day, coach Lindy Ruff said following the session in LECOM Harborcenter.
He said Carrick’s injury might be related to the left arm injury he suffered in a fight late last season.... Read the full article
Rasmus Dahlin is ready to return from an upper-body injury. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Through nine games this season, the Sabres sport an underwhelming but intriguing 4-3-2 record.
The team that ended last season on a torrid 39-9-5 run has stumbled out of the gate a bit, often falling behind multiple goals before roaring back.
Incredibly, the Sabres have held a lead just 60:32 this season, barely the equivalent of one game. Only two teams – the hapless Calgary Flames (39:21) and Los Angeles Kings (32:59) – ... Read the full article
Justin Danforth has an upper-body injury. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, who has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury, returned to practice this morning and expects to play Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
“I think I’ll be ready,” Dahlin said this afternoon in KeyBank Center.
The Sabres did well without Dahlin, their top defenseman, compiling a 1-0-2 record during their road trip.... Read the full article
Tage Thompson morphed into an elite scorer. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu
Early in his tenure in Buffalo, the idea of Tage Thompson someday taking his place among some of the Sabres’ all-time greats seemed ludicrous.
In 104 games over his first three years, he scored just 15 goals.
But Thompson matured rapidly after former Sabres coach Don Granato switched him from wing to center five years ago.... Read the full article