Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres goalie Alex Lyon stays hot in win over Panthers, approaching NHL record

After inking a two-year, $3 million contract, Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon has quietly emerged as one of the NHL’s best bargains and perhaps the top free agent signing of last summer.

To wit: for $1.5 million this season, Lyon has compiled a 15-8-3 record with a 2.69 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 games.

Lyon dazzled in Friday’s 3-2 triumph over the Florida Panthers, stopping 27 shots to register ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson close to returning from injury

Winger Zach Benson has joined the Buffalo Sabres on their road trip and could play Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Florida.

“He was good enough that we got him down here last night,” Ruff said prior to Friday’s game against the Panthers.

Benson, who skated Friday morning, hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury when he crashed into the boards Feb. 2 in Florida.... Read the full article

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin excited for long-awaited run to playoffs; Tage Thompson set to play

BUFFALO – As captain Rasmus Dahlin, still in full practice gear and sweaty from a long session, stood behind a podium fielding questions, the topic turned to the Sabres’ upcoming stretch of 25 games in 50 days to close the regular season.

For the first time in Dahlin’s career – he and center Tage Thompson, having both arrived in 2018-19, are the team’s longest-tenured players – the Sabres are in the driver’s seat for ... Read the full article

Following move to center with Amerks, prospect Anton Wahlberg receives first recall to Sabres

ROCHESTER – After Konsta Helenius’ first NHL recall last month left the Americans thin at center, coach Mike Leone shifted Buffalo Sabres prospect Anton Wahlberg up to pivot the Americans’ top line.

Normally, a neophyte about 100 games into his AHL career wouldn’t have been thrust into such a high-profile role.

“It’s extremely difficult to do what he’s doing right now as a young player,” Leone said last month of the 20-year-old.... Read the full article

Sabres recall prospect from Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled center prospect Anton Wahlberg, a second-round pick in 2023, from the Rochester Americans.

The youngster has never played an NHL game. His arrival could mean Sabres center Tage Thompson, who just won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics, will miss Wednesday’s road game against the New Jersey Devils.

Wahlberg, 20, has quietly enjoyed a strong season with the Amerks, compiling six goals, 25 points and ... Read the full article

When will Tage Thompson return to the Sabres following the Olympics?

BUFFALO – In last Wednesday’s quarterfinal game between Team Sweden and Team USA at the Olympics, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said center Tage Thompson, his close friend and NHL teammate, had an opportunity to thump him.

“He decided not to hit me one time in the corner … so that was nice,” Dahlin said following Monday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter, his first session after returning from the Milano Cortina Games. “I think he had a ... Read the full article

15 years ago, the Sabres kicked off the Terry Pegula era in grand fashion

Fifteen years years ago today, the Sabres played their first game under owner Terry Pegula, ushering in what promised to be an exciting and successful era by beating the Atlanta Thrashers 4-1 in an emotional HSBC Arena.

We all know how things have turned out since that thrilling night. Still, the Sabres made the playoffs that season, closing the season on a 16-6-4 tear and roaring up the standings after Pegula took over. His presence ... Read the full article

Sabres star Tage Thompson, Team USA win gold medal in dramatic fashion

BUFFALO – When practice was set to begin at 10:30 Sunday morning, only two Sabres players, goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, had hit the ice alongside the coaching staff in LECOM Harborcenter.

The rest of the team was watching the dramatic conclusion of the gold medal clash between and Team USA and Team Canada at the Milano Cortina Games.

As overtime began, everyone on the ice skated to one end to watch a television ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson still injured, could miss another game; Rasmus Dahlin set to return from Olympics

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zach Benson will likely miss Wednesday’s road game against the New Jersey Devils with an undisclosed injury, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Benson, 20, hasn’t played or practiced since crashing into the boards and suffering an upper-body injury Feb. 2. Right now, however, Ruff said the youngster is battling a different injury.

Ruff said the Sabres will have more information today on Benson, who’s “doing OK” and has been skating on his ... Read the full article

Sabres recall defenseman from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning recalled rookie defenseman Zach Metsa, who returned to the AHL during the Olympic break, from the Rochester Americans.

Metsa, 27, played two games during the break, his first appearances with the Amerks since early December. After being summoned that month, he enjoyed semi-regular duty with the Sabres, often skating short minutes on the third defense pair.

He practiced with the Sabres this morning in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article