Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Would a trip to Rochester help Sabres’ Jiri Kulich find some confidence?

BUFFALO – On one hand, Jiri Kulich scored 15 goals and spent the end of his rookie season centering the Sabres’ No. 1 line. On the other hand, he just missed nearly a full season recovering from a blood clot and has struggled to find his game this year.

Could a short trip to the AHL benefit Kulich, perhaps infuse him with some much-needed confidence?

The Czech, 22, is expected to be healthy scratch for ... Read the full article

As Lightning visit, Rasmus Dahlin and Sabres looking for consistency

BUFFALO – In the waning minutes of Sunday’s 4-1 loss, Vegas Golden Knights winger Victor Olofsson slickly undressed Rasmus Dahlin outside the Buffalo blue line before the Sabres captain slashed his former teammate as he zoomed to the net.

Dahlin skated to the penalty box, his forgettable afternoon over after he compiled a minus-3 rating.

The Swede, whose Sabres close a four-game home stand tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center, has run ... Read the full article

After return from concussion, Sabres’ Jiri Kulich could be healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Six weeks into the season, Jiri Kulich hasn’t found any rhythm. Following nearly a year on the sideline recovering from a blood clot, the Sabres forward has suffered some early setbacks, most notably a concussion that forced him to miss five games.

In two appearances since returning, Kulich has struggled a bit, so it appears he will be a healthy scratch for Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center.

The ... Read the full article

Sabres’ power play costs them in loss to Golden Knights: ‘Took the wind right out of our sails’

BUFFALO – Just over halfway through Sunday afternoon’s 4-1 loss, winger Tage Thompson gave the puck away again inside the Vegas Golden Knights blue line as the Sabres enjoyed a power play, this time to Mitch Marner.

With the game tied at 0 earlier in the period, Sabres goalie Colten Ellis stymied two shots on William Karlsson’s short-handed breakaway attempt after Thompson committed a similar gaffe on the man advantage.

“That should have been motivation ... Read the full article

Flashback: 15 years ago, Rick Jeanneret and Dale Hawerchuk were inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame

I’ve been lucky to cover many Sabres Hall of Fame inductions. Looking back, the 2011 ceremony, which took place 15 years ago today, might’ve been the most special.

Sadly, both of the inductees – legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret and high-scoring center Dale Hawerchuk – have since passed away.

Jeanneret, as you can read below, finally accepted the honor so his mother could enjoy it with him.

Hawerchuk, one of the most underrated players in ... Read the full article

In tough times, Sabres’ Jiri Kulich leans on teammates; Injured Matt Grzelcyk in ‘holding pattern’

BUFFALO – After a puck hit Sabres forward Jiri Kulich in the face during a practice late last month, forcing him to miss five games with a concussion, he joked he wondered if he had wronged someone.

“I was telling myself, ‘What I did (do) to someone with my luck?’” Kulich told the Times Herald prior to Friday’s 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in KeyBank Center, his first game since going down Oct. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris breaks out of slump, scores two goals in much-needed home win over Blue Jackets

BUFFALO – When the topic turned to the struggling Josh Norris prior to Friday’s 5-2 victory, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he had been working with the talented center and a better version of him would materialize.

Norris had mostly been a non-factor for five weeks, registering just two goals and three points in 15 games despite skating on scoring lines and the power play.

Ruff scratched another underperforming forward, Ryan McLeod, on Friday. If ... Read the full article

Sabres to make Ryan McLeod healthy scratch, change defense

BUFFALO – With the Sabres clinging to a 1-0 lead in Wednesday’s third period, forward Ryan McLeod lost a defensive-zone faceoff and allowed his man, center Shane Pinto, to get free in front of goalie Colten Ellis.

Pinto quickly swept in a rebound, the first of two late goals the Ottawa Senators scored in their 2-1 victory.

McLeod has struggled all season, mustering just one goal and three points while compiling a team-worst ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jake Richard excelling in first weeks with Rochester Amerks

ROCHESTER – The first goal of Buffalo Sabres prospect Jake Richard’s pro career created some confusion.

At first, Richard figured the goal would be credited to the shooter, Americans defenseman Gavin McCarthy, his close friend and a fellow rookie. But teammates told Richard the goal belonged to him.

When he watched a replay, Richard, 22, realized the puck hit him as he battled one of the Toronto Marlies for positioning in front of the net.... Read the full article

Sabres implode late, waste strong effort from Colten Ellis in loss to Senators

BUFFALO – Well, at least the Sabres didn’t chase Wednesday’s contest until late. But make no mistake, like so many of their home games this season, they could’ve easily fallen behind early to the Ottawa Senators.

The Senators generated a point-blank scoring opportunity 11 seconds into the game. Barely 90 seconds in, goalie Colten Ellis bailed the Sabres out again, using his right pad to stymie Michael Amadio’s backdoor chance from the bottom of the ... Read the full article