Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

In midst of ‘crazy’ year and playoff run, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin named Norris Trophy finalist: ‘It’s unreal’

BUFFALO – When the season ends, Rasmus Dahlin said, he will talk about it. Right now, it’s hard for the Sabres captain to reflect on what he has experienced over the past year.

Dahlin, 26, simply wants to look forward to Friday’s contest, Game 2 of the Sabres’ second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens at KeyBank Center. The Sabres on Tuesday won Game 1 of the best-of-seven series 4-2.

“I’ll just say it’s been ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Buffalo looks stronger at home versus Canadiens; Alex Lyon able to adapt over years

BUFFALO – Looking back, coach Lindy Ruff believes a slew of factors contributed to the Sabres’ weak start at home in the first round against the Boston Bruins.

“The combination of anxiety, nerves, first time, too amped up, not focused on how we really need to play, versus kind of running around and wasting a lot of energy doing things that we don’t need to be doing in that first game,” he said Thursday in ... Read the full article

Sabres pounce on Canadiens, win Game 1; Rasmus Dahlin OK after blocking shot

BUFFALO – The Sabres needed less than two periods against the Montreal Canadiens to accomplish what the Tampa Bay Lightning couldn’t in seven games.

Against a stingy opponent – the Canadiens allowed three or fewer goals in each contest versus the Lightning and just 15 total – the Sabres scored four times in the opening 29 minutes on Wednesday en route to a 4-2 win in Game 1 of the second-round series.

The Sabres, who ... Read the full article

After long wait, Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin having blast in playoffs: ‘A ton of fun’

BUFFALO – Mattias Samuelsson plays alongside Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on the ice and sits next to him in the dressing room. The 26-year-old defensemen, who have been teammates for six seasons, know each other well.

Since the Sabres began their resurgence this season, Samuelsson has noticed a positive change in his close friend.

“I think you can tell it’s definitely helped his mood,” Samuelsson told the Times Herald.... Read the full article

Could the Sabres change their lineup for Game 1 against the Canadiens?

BUFFALO – Center Sam Carrick has practiced just once since recovering from a left arm injury that sidelined him 13 games. Could the Sabres really insert in the lineup tonight for Game 1 of their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens?

“We really haven’t put a date on it,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of Carrick’s return. “Tonight could be a possibility.”

In Carrick’s absence in the first-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the ... Read the full article

After career-best regular season, goalie Alex Lyon becomes Sabres’ backbone: ‘Nothing short of sensational’

BUFFALO – It can be easy to forget now. Goalie Alex Lyon just performed dynamically while winning three games and backstopping the Sabres to their first postseason series win in 19 years.

But a few weeks ago, Lyon, 33, was a bit of an afterthought as the Sabres entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011.

In his last three starts of the regular season, he struggled mightily, posting a ghastly 6.24 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Carrick expected to play in second round versus Canadiens; Konsta Helenius joins practice

BUFFALO – Expect to see center Sam Carrick, who has missed the last 13 games with a left arm injury, play during the Sabres’ second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

Carrick on Tuesday practiced for the first time since getting injured in a fight March 31.

“He’s out there right now getting some contact,” Ruff said following Tuesday’s practice. “His fitness levels are good, everything. His return to play, he’s worked really hard ... Read the full article

In Canadiens, ‘resilient’ Sabres face stiff challenge in second round of playoffs

BUFFALO – Having just played his first six postseason games, Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin developed a feel for the demands and rigors of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The media, the ultra-talented defenseman said, blew things up. After the Sabres’ first-round victory over the Boston Bruins, he said he realized the postseason “is just hockey.”

“But the level is a little raised and the compete is raised,” said Dahlin, one of 14 Sabres who made his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Carrick could return from arm injury in second round; Rasmus Dahlin finalist for Masterton

BUFFALO – Wait a second, center Sam Carrick might be available to Sabres in their second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens after all.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said today that Carrick, who has missed the last 13 games after injuring his left arm in a fight March 31, plans to see team doctors today. If everything goes well, he could join his teammates for Tuesday’s practice.

“Which is great news,” Ruff said in KeyBank Center. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson becoming one of NHL’s foremost agitators: ‘That insect that won’t go away’

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff likens diminutive winger Zach Benson’s ability to get under opponents’ skin to an annoying bug that keeps flying around you.

“He’s like that insect that won’t go away,” Ruff said following Sunday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “You keep swatting at it, but you just can’t quite get it, and it keeps landing on you.”

The tenacious Benson, 20, landed on the Boston Bruins’ you-know-what list during the first-round playoff ... Read the full article