Buffalo Hockey Beat
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Connor Hellebuyck is in New Jersey, but Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen knows he can still be traded
Sabres netminder Ukko‑Pekka Luukkonen admits the trade chatter surrounding his name is impossible to ignore, even when he steers clear of social media. He says anyone claiming they don’t see the rumors is “lying,” and notes that friends and the media keep him informed. The article explores Luukkonen’s perspective on his possible move as Connor Hellebuyck lands in New Jersey, highlighting the persistent speculation about the Finnish goalie’s future.
Sabres’ Jiri Kulich injured in practice, status for road trip uncertain
Sabres center Jiri Kulich suffered a facial injury during a power‑play drill at today’s practice, prompting an immediate doctor's visit, coach Lindy Ruff said. The 22‑year‑old was knocked down, bleeding heavily, and was helped off the ice at KeyBank Center. Ruff offered no update on Kulich’s condition, leaving his availability for the upcoming road trip in doubt. Fans will be watching for further medical news before the team’s next games.
Sabres fall to Flyers in Jason Zucker’s return; Owen Power loses cool after phantom high-stick
The Philadelphia Flyers snap a 0‑4‑1 road skid with a 3‑1 win over the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center on Oct. 22, 2026, marking Jason Zucker’s first game back after injury. The victory comes after the Flyers endured a three‑week slump following a 0‑6‑3 start to the season. The win also saw a heated moment as Buffalo defenseman Owen Power lost his composure after a phantom high‑stick, drawing attention to the intense rivalry. Fans get a full recap of the game’s key plays, the impact of Zucker’s return, and the lingering frustration for the Sabres.
Sabres lose to Flyers in Jason Zucker’s return; Owen Power loses cool after phantom high-stick
The Philadelphia Flyers snap a 0‑4‑1 road slump with a 3‑1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, marking Jason Zucker’s first game back after injury. The win ends Buffalo’s rough start to the season and sparks a heated moment as Sabres defenseman Owen Power reacts to a phantom high‑stick call. The article details the Flyers’ early‑season struggles, the Sabres’ 0‑6‑3 opening stretch, and the implications for both teams as the NHL season unfolds.
Sabres notes: Josh Norris scoring after slow start, showcasing grit
Sabres center Josh Norris, who suffered a freak collision with Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman‑Larsson in overtime Thursday, was forced into concussion protocol despite wanting to stay in the game. The incident came as Buffalo completed its comeback 5‑4 win in Toronto. Norris discussed the mishap with the Times Herald before Wednesday’s 3‑1 loss to the Flyers at KeyBank Center, emphasizing his resilience and determination to contribute despite the setback.
Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finding groove for Sabres
Sabres netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earns his fourth straight start, this time versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Since taking over from Colten Ellis on Oct. 12, the Finnish rookie posts a 2‑0‑2 record, a 3.25 GAA and several key saves, positioning him as Lindy Ruff's top goaltending option despite not yet matching last season’s peak performance.
Despite having zero goals, Zach Benson off to strong start, displaying chemistry with Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff praises 21‑year‑old winger Zach Benson despite his zero‑goal mark after nine games. Benson has become a key offensive catalyst, generating chaos in the slot and unsettling opponents while sharing a hot line with center Noah Ostlund and rookie Jack Quinn. Ruff highlights his chemistry with the line mates and his impact beyond scoring, suggesting the youngster is one of Buffalo’s most valuable players this season.
Injury updates on Sabres’ Sam Carrick, Alex Lyon and Conor Timmins
Sabres forward Sam Carrick skips Tuesday’s practice with a mid-body issue and is listed as day‑to‑day, coach Lindy Ruff says, possibly linked to a left‑arm injury from a late‑season fight. Rough forward Justin Danforth also remains day‑to‑day with an upper‑body problem, while goaltender Alex Lyon and forward Conor Timmins are already on the injury list. The latest updates raise concerns for Buffalo’s depth heading into the early season schedule.
Despite Rasmus Dahlin injury and some early struggles, Sabres off to solid start, in playoff spot
Through nine games, the Buffalo Sabres sit at a 4‑3‑2 record and have already clinched a playoff spot despite early setbacks and the loss of key defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. The team, fresh off a 39‑9‑5 finish last season, frequently trails by multiple goals before rallying, holding a cumulative lead of just 60:32 – the third‑lowest in the league, ahead of only the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings. The article examines how the Sabres are managing these challenges and what it means for their season.
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, Jason Zucker ready to return from injuries; Justin Danforth misses practice
Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin returns to practice after missing three games with an upper‑body injury and says he should be ready for Wednesday’s matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers. The team has gone 1‑0‑2 on the road without him. Meanwhile, forward Jason Zucker also gears up to rejoin the lineup, while winger Justin Danforth skips practice. The article details Dahlin’s injury timeline and the impact of his potential return on Buffalo’s upcoming game.
Tage Thompson taking his place among Sabres’ all-time greats
Six years after a modest start—15 goals in his first 104 games—Tage Thompson has transformed into one of the NHL’s elite scorers and a contender for Sabres’ all‑time great status. A position switch from wing to center by former coach Don Granato five years ago sparked his breakout, and since the 2021‑22 season he’s amassed impressive numbers over 393 games. The article charts Thompson’s rapid rise and argues he now belongs among Buffalo’s legends.
Following recall, Sabres’ Dennis Gilbert scores rare goal, displays tenacity
TORONTO – Two nights earlier in Montreal, Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff pointed out, defenseman Dennis Gilbert had walked right down the slot and missed the net. If Gilbert, 29, got another opportunity with the puck, he would surely score, right? “They say you give Dennis a second chance, and he’ll make the other team pay,” Ruff joked Thursday after Gilbert scored his first goal at any level in nearly three years. Kidding aside, Gilbert’s ... Read the full article The post Followin...
Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin, Josh Norris and Jiri Kulich all progressing from injuries and illness
An upper-body injury will force Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin to miss his third straight game tonight, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Friday in Montreal. “Progressing,” Ruff said of the defenseman’s status to reporters at the Bell Centre. “He’s feeling better today than yesterday.” After shooting the puck in Monday afternoon’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers, Dahlin reached for his lower back and left the game. The Sabres received more good news Friday on ... Read the full ar...
Jack Quinn scores, fights and looks like star in Sabres’ wild OT win; Buffalo loses Jiri Kulich, Josh Norris
TORONTO – It was only fitting that winger Jack Quinn capped the most dynamic outing in his NHL career by creating defenseman Owen Power’s overtime goal to cap another thrilling Sabres come-from-behind victory. On a night Maple Leads winger Kirill Marchenko scored three times before the second period ended in Scotiabank Arena, Quinn was the best player on the ice in the Sabres’ 5-4 win, wreaking havoc from the get-go. Quinn scored two goals, hit ... Read the full article The post Jack Qui...
Sabres notes: Owen Power skating big minutes, becoming elite defenseman
TORONTO – In his five-year career, the Buffalo Sabres have never leaned more heavily on defenseman Owen Power. Through seven games this season entering Thursday’s contest against the Maple Leafs, Power had averaged a whopping 26 minutes, 26 seconds of ice time. Only five players – defensemen Zach Werenski, Thomas Chabot, Quinn Hughes and Lane Hutson – had skated more per outing. Power, of course, seemed destined for stardom when the Sabres drafted him first ... Read the full article ...
Sabres goalie Alex Lyon endures injury setback; Rasmus Dahlin, Jason Zucker closer to playing
TORONTO – Had he kept recovering from the left shoulder injury he suffered in the preseason, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said goalie Alex Lyon would’ve made his season debut Tuesday in Montreal. Instead, as his teammates lost a 4-3 shootout to the Canadiens, Lyon, having suffered a setback in practice, was back in Buffalo. “Now we’ll just see with rehab and stuff where he ends up,” Ruff said this morning in Scotiabank Arena. Ruff said ... Read the full article The post Sabres goalie Alex...
Following trade, speedy Olen Zellweger making fast impact with Sabres
TORONTO – In his first game subbing for injured Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin, Olen Zellweger performed splendidly, enjoying perhaps his best night in the NHL. Skating alongside defenseman Mattias Samuelsson for much of Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Zellweger set career highs by scoring two goals and playing 25 minutes, 49 seconds. No one, of course, can truly replace Dahlin, one of the NHL’s most dynamic defensemen, as he recovers from ... Read the full art...
After losing Rasmus Dahlin to injury, Sabres recall defenseman
After losing captain Rasmus Dahlin to an upper-body injury, the Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Rochester Americans. To create a roster spot, the Sabres placed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk on injured reserve. Dahlin, the Sabres’ top defenseman, is expected to miss tonight’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens. Following Monday afternoon’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers, coach Lindy Ruff said Dahlin is day to day and wouldn’t accompany the Sab...
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shines in relief appearance, backstops Sabres to win over Panthers
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff loves goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s ability to fight through difficult situations. Luukkonen looked a bit wonky in his first three appearances this season, posting a .782 save percentage. While a porous defense played a part in compiling that ghastly number, he hardly stood out. In the past week, he has lost starts to Colten Ellis, who began Monday afternoon’s game against the Florida Panthers sporting a save percentage nearly 100 ... Read the full article...
Sabres trade Ryan Johnson, receive two defensemen from Penguins
BUFFALO – Defenseman Ryan Johnson’s time in the Sabres organization has ended. The Sabres on Monday traded Johnson, the 31st overall pick in 2019, to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defensemen Caleb Jones and Daniel Laatsch. Johnson, 25, recently cleared waivers and began the season with the Rochester Americans. He played 41 games with the Sabres as a rookie in 2023-24 but only made six appearances in the NHL after that. Jones, 29, gives ... Read the full article The post Sab...
Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin day to day with upper-body injury, will likely miss game against Canadiens
BUFFALO – Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin suffered an upper-body injury early in the second period of Monday afternoon’s 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers and will likely miss tonight’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens, coach Lindy Ruff said. Ruff said Dahlin is day to day and wouldn’t accompany the Sabres when they left to begin their three-game road trip. He could join the team later in the trip. “They treat him better here,” Ruff ... Read the full article The post Sabres’ Rasmus ...
Struggling Sabres change lineup again by inserting young forwards
BUFFALO – After sitting out Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the Utah Mammoth as healthy scratches, forwards Konsta Helenius and Jiri Kulich are in the lineup for this afternoon’s game against the Florida Panthers. To make, room the Sabres scratched forwards Sam Carrick and Justin Danforth. Update: Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin left the game with an upper-body injury in the second period and won’t return, according to the team. Dahlin did not take a shift after ... Read the full article The post St...
As Sabres struggle early, Ryan McLeod or Josh Norris could be scratched
BUFFALO – Scratching young players, as coach Lindy Ruff did Saturday, is often the first option to ignite a struggling team. As rookie Konsta Helenius and Jiri Kulich watched, the Sabres fell meekly to the Utah Mammoth. Now, Ruff’s lineup decisions – he has 14 forwards at his disposal – for this afternoon’s game against the Florida Panthers could be a heck of a lot more interesting. The Sabres, fresh off a 109-point season, have ... Read the full article The post As Sabres struggle early...
Sabres lose to Mammoth, still searching for identity: ‘Trying to find who we are’
BUFFALO – Hey, the Sabres finally scored their first power-play of the season on Saturday, a small bright spot in an otherwise forgettable 4-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth. Eight minutes into the game, forward Tage Thompson scored what he called “a pretty fluky power-play goal,” carrying the puck from his own zone into Utah territory before beating goalie Karel Vejmelka at the bottom of the right circle. Still, the Sabres, two days removed from ... Read the full article The post Sabres lose ...
Sabres to scratch Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich; Colten Ellis to start in goal
BUFFALO – Fresh off Thursday’s embarrassing 4-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, you expected the Sabres to change their lineup for tonight’s game against Utah Mammoth. Sure enough, coach Lindy Ruff will be scratching young forwards Konsta Helenius, 20, and Jiri Kulich, 22, and inserting Sam Carrick and Tyson Kozak. Meanwhile, goalie Colten Ellis is expected to start tonight. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who played three of the first four games, has a ghastly .782 save percentage.... Read the full artic...
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