Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres notes: Luke Schenn teammates with another Doan; Alex Tuch misses game with injury

BUFFALO – Jeska Peczek recently told her husband, Sabres defenseman Luke Schenn, you can tell you’re getting old when a former teammate’s son welcomes you to your new team.

“At one point, it’s Shane Doan and his wife welcoming you to the team (the Arizona Coyotes), and next thing you know, it’s Josh and his girlfriend,” Schenn said Thursday prior to making his Sabres debut in a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres pummel Capitals early, struggle late as win streak ends

BUFFALO – As Tage Thompson kept firing away from the left circle, unleashing four consecutive one-timers late in the first period as the Sabres enjoyed a power play, the anticipation from the capacity crowd in KeyBank Center grew.

How often do you get to see one of hockey’s most lethal shooters let loose like that?

“I think they were tired,” Thompson said after a 2-1 loss ended the Sabres’ eight-game win streak. “It’s tough for ... Read the full article

Luke Schenn could debut for Sabres tonight; Alex Tuch nursing injury

BUFFALO – In his first session since Friday’s trade, veteran Luke Schenn this morning skated alongside Logan Stanley, a sign he will likely make his Sabres debut tonight against the Washington Capitals.

Before the Winnipeg Jets dealt the defensemen here together, Schenn and Stanley spent much of this season as partners, so it’s only natural to reunite them.

Still, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who has entered playoff mode early, wouldn’t confirm Schenn’s presence in tonight’s ... Read the full article

Before trade, Sabres’ Sam Carrick paid dues to stick in NHL: ‘Never … gave up the belief’

BUFFALO – Long before center Sam Carrick played in the Stanley Cup final or made a fast impact with the Sabres, he would return to the minors following one of his brief and infrequent trips to the big leagues and wonder if he had played his last NHL game.

As his 30th birthday approached, Carrick, who joined the Sabres before Friday’s trade deadline, had played just 47 NHL games over parts of five seasons.

He ... Read the full article

Sabres’ win streak hits eight games as Jack Quinn scores first hat trick; Logan Stanley makes debut after trade

BUFFALO – To coach Lindy Ruff, the Sabres’ long win streaks this season – for the first time in franchise history, they have two of at least eight games – illustrate the high level of consistency they’ve showcased over a torrid three-month stretch.

“That’s the reason you can win that number of games,” Ruff said after Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks in noisy KeyBank Center pushed their latest run to eight games.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen battles through chaos to earn win

BUFFALO – In a game he called the craziest of his life, as chaos enveloped around his crease and the Tampa Bay Lightning scored seven times, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen tried to forget about the score and simply focus on making the next save.

“At a certain point, you just have to think about, ‘We can win this game,’ and give the team a chance to kind of keep the score close and try to ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Logan Stanley displaying offensive growth; Brandon Hagel fined for punches

BUFFALO – The nine and 21 attached to Sabres newcomer Logan Stanley’s stat line this season jump right off the page.

After registering just one goal in each of his first five NHL campaigns, the 6-foot-7, 231-pound defenseman has already scored nine times. He had never surpassed the 14-point mark before recording 21 points in 59 games for the Winnipeg Jets.

Of course, Stanley, who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets before Friday’s trade deadline, ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin, Sabres win fight-filled thriller over Lightning, move into first place: ‘I’m so fired up’

BUFFALO – Early in the second period of the most intense, meaningful and entertaining Sabres game in close to a generation, Brandon Hagel began bullying captain Rasmus Dahlin in front of the Tampa Bay Lightning net.

At that point in Sunday’s thrilling 8-7 come-from-behind win, which moved the Sabres past the Lightning into sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division, the rivals had already fought five times and amassed 92 penalty minutes.

In ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks loan Sabres prospect Nikita Novikov to Kings’ AHL affiliate

The Rochester Americans today loaned Buffalo Sabres defense prospect Nikita Novikov to the Ontario Reign and received forward Kaleb Lawrence back from the Los Angeles’ Kings AHL affiliate back in a corresponding move.

Novikov, 22, spent the last three seasons with the Amerks, compiling 15 goals, 62 points, 138 points and a plus-54 rating in 183 games.

The 6-foot-3, 196-pound Russian has registered six goals, 18 points, 44 penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating in ... Read the full article

After defeating Predators, Sabres have first-place showdown versus Lightning: ‘Going to have incredible energy’

BUFFALO – Since the Sabres last appeared in the playoffs, they have played 1,138 regular-season games, none as big as tonight’s contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

If the Sabres defeat the Lightning at KeyBank Center, they will own sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division at the latest point in a season since April 10, 2010.

Right now, the teams, having each earned 82 points, are tied for the top spot.

Over ... Read the full article