Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Grinding in minors and paying dues molded Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen into special NHL goalie

BUFFALO – In those early years, as he grinded in the minors and his paid dues, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen said it could be difficult to see the big picture.

Luukkonen, having developed into one of hockey’s top prospects and been anointed the Sabres’ goalie of the future, kept hearing the same thing.

“You’re a young guy, everybody tells you this and that and that you’re going to be great,” Luukkonen said following Sunday’s practice ... Read the full article

Sabres will open playoffs Sunday; Alex Lyon ready to practice

BUFFALO – The NHL announced this afternoon the Sabres will be opening the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday.

When will Game 1 of the first-round series be starting? Well, the time and the rest of the schedule will be released later, likely after the conclusion of tonight’s games.

“As long as they let us know by Sunday morning,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cracked following this afternoon’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter.... Read the full article

Sabres rest top players against Stars as attention turns to Bruins in playoffs

BUFFALO – The outcome of Wednesday’s regular-season finale, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars, is irrelevant.

The Sabres, having clinched the Atlantic Division and locked into a first-round series against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scratched five of their best players and dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen.

Tyson Kozak, a fourth-line center or spare forward, pivoted the Sabres’ top line. Coach Lindy Ruff used three defensemen on the second ... Read the full article

Sabres buying into Jarmo Kekalainen’s message; Buffalo changes lineup for regular-season finale

BUFFALO – In his introductory remarks as Sabres general manager in mid-December, Jarmo Kekalainen stressed how much he values character.

Before he fielded a question, he said he wanted a talented team to develop a competitive and relentless identity.

Today, the Sabres rank among the NHL’s elite, having enjoyed a torrid four-month run and clinched the Atlantic Division. They’ve showcased remarkable consistency, adding tenacity to complement their skill.... Read the full article

Sabres to rest top players against Stars as focus shifts to Bruins; Noah Ostlund ‘really close’ to returning from injury

BUFFALO – Having clinched the Atlantic Division, the Sabres will rest several of their regulars for tonight’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Stars.

Based on the morning skate, captain Rasmus Dahlin, leading scorer Tage Thompson, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and forwards Ryan McLeod and Jason Zucker could all be scratched.

Goalie Colten Ellis is expected to start and be backed up by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

The Sabres could also recall some players.... Read the full article

Sabres to face Boston Bruins in opening round of playoffs

The Buffalo Sabres will be renewing their longtime rivalry with the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Bruins’ 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday secured the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, locking in a meeting with the Sabres, the Atlantic Division champions.

The series will start this weekend in Buffalo. A schedule will be released in the coming days.... Read the full article

While clinching the Atlantic Division is nice, the Sabres have a much bigger goal in mind

BUFFALO – No one saw this coming. Sure, securing that elusive spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and ending their NHL-record 14-year drought certainly felt like a possibility for the Sabres this season, at least before they fell into last place.

But a division championship?

Heck, after Monday’s 5-1 road win over the Chicago Blackhawks clinched the Atlantic, even coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged he’s surprised how far the Sabres, who ranked last in the Eastern ... Read the full article

After trade, scratch, Sabres newcomer Logan Stanley settling in on defense

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley knows it sounds a bit odd. After all, he fell out of the lineup after playing 14 straight games following his arrival from the Winnipeg Jets before the trade deadline.

But sitting out Wednesday’s 5-3 road win over the New York Rangers as a healthy scratch infused him with some much-needed confidence.

After being given a chance to reset, Stanley responded by enjoying his best outing with the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres hope to have injured rookie Noah Ostlund back for playoffs

BUFFALO – Coach Lindy Ruff said the Sabres hope to have injured rookie Noah Ostlund back for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Getting better,” Ruff said following Saturday’s practice in LECOM Harborcenter. “Just one of those injuries that are just pain management. As soon as we get that reduced, he’ll be back.”

Ostlund, 22, has missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury. The postseason starts next Saturday and Sunday. A full schedule will be ... Read the full article

Colten Ellis dynamic as Sabres shut out Blue Jackets, stay in first place

BUFFALO – When the Sabres claimed rookie goalie Colten Ellis off waivers six months ago, it felt like his first trip to the NHL might be fleeting.

After all, they grabbed Ellis to provide insurance after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered another injury late in the preseason. Carrying three goalies, of course, is a luxury, and that roster spot can often be better utilized on a forward or defenseman.

But Ellis, who dazzled Thursday in his first ... Read the full article