Sabres News

EASTERN ATLANTIC

Tage Thompson • C • Sabres

Tage Thompson Picks Up 400th Career Point

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson registered his 400th career point in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. He scored Buffalo's first goal early in the second period. Thompson now boasts 213 goals and 187 assists through 521 career games. He is closing in on his third 40-goal campaign, having lit the lamp 37 times. In 73 outings this season, Thompson has also recorded 38 assists. Only three players have managed at least 40 goals and 40 assists, highlighting how special Thompson's campaign has been. Next, he will be let loose against a Seattle Kraken defense that has allowed 4.2 goals per game over the last five contests.

2 days ago

Noah Ostlund • C • Sabres

Noah Ostlund Won't Play Friday

Buffalo Sabres center Noah Ostlund (upper body) won't play on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports. He hasn't joined the team for pregame warmups after being regarded as a game-time decision. Ostlund is nursing an upper-body injury and didn't practice on Thursday. The 22-year-old Swedish native has had a good rookie campaign, with 11 goals and 27 points in 60 appearances. Tanner Pearson will replace Ostlund in the lineup, making only his second appearance for the team since being acquired from Winnipeg at the trade deadline.

3 days ago

Mattias Samuelsson • D • Sabres

Mattias Samuelsson a Game-Time Call Wednesday

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (illness) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's matchup with the Boston Bruins, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. After missing practice on Tuesday due to illness, Samuelsson skated on Wednesday morning. Having Samuelsson available would be a big boost for the Sabres. The 26-year-old has taken huge strides this season, registering 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists), 97 SOG, 137 blocks, 110 hits, and a plus-35 rating. The six-year veteran had previously never managed more than 14 points in a single season. Conor Timmins (leg) is available on Wednesday and could be Samuelsson's replacement in the lineup. He has missed over three months due to a broken leg.

5 days ago

Alex Tuch • RW • Sabres

Alex Tuch Expected to Return Thursday

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (illness) is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. He sat out Tuesday's win over Vegas due to illness. Tuch is projected to be part of the first line with Zach Benson and Tage Thompson and will see action on the second power-play unit. Buffalo has received solid production from Tuch all season, as the 29-year-old sits just a few points away from registering his second consecutive 60-point season. He has amassed 28 goals and 29 assists in 65 games, failing to make the score sheet just once in his last eight outings.

Mar 19

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen • G • Sabres

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Bags a Shutout in Vegas

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen recorded a 28-save shutout in Tuesday's 2-0 road win against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Finnish netminder played a key role in a tight contest, which featured a late first-period goal and an empty-netter inside the final minute of play. Buffalo established a new franchise record with an 11-game road point streak. Luukkonen, who picked up his first shutout of the season, appears to enjoy traveling, as he has won six consecutive road starts. Overall, he boasts a 16-8-2 record, a 2.60 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage. Luukkonen has been splitting starts with Alex Lyon for several weeks, so he will likely skip Thursday's matchup with San Jose and return to work on Saturday against L.A.

Mar 18

Alex Tuch • RW • Sabres

Alex Tuch a Game-Time Decision on Tuesday

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (illness) is considered a game-time call for Tuesday night's action against the Vegas Golden Knights. He could be forced to miss a matchup with his former team due to illness. Tuch has played a major role in Buffalo's rise to the top of the Atlantic Division, producing 28 goals and 29 assists in 65 games. Tyson Kozak (undisclosed) has been cleared to play and might be Tuch's replacement in the lineup. Meanwhile, Josh Doan could land a spot on a scoring line if Tuch isn't available. While Doan has been held off the score sheet for three straight games, he has generally played well and is on track for a 50-point campaign.

Mar 17

Alex Tuch • RW • Sabres

Alex Tuch Set to Return Saturday

Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (lower body) is expected to rejoin the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was unavailable on Thursday against Pittsburgh due to a lower-body injury. Tuch was on fire before exiting the lineup earlier this week, recording points in seven consecutive outings. He's the second-highest scoring forward on his team, sitting on 28 goals and 57 points in 64 games. The Maple Leafs know all about Tuch's quality, as the 29-year-old has tallied two goals and one assist in three games against them this season.

Mar 14

Tage Thompson • C • Sabres

Tage Thompson Picks Up Four Points Against Lightning

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson had a four-assist game in Sunday night's wild 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The American forward had an elite performance, setting up Josh Doan, Jason Zucker, Alex Tuch, and Rasmus Dahlin with goals. Thompson now has 70 points in 64 games and has a chance to break his career-high of 94 points, which was set in the 2022-23 season.

Mar 8

Jiri Kulich • C • Sabres

Jiri Kulich Unlikely to Return This Season

Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (ear) is not expected to return this season, Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald reports. He has been out since Nov. 1 due to a blood clot in his ear. "He's continuing to get treatment," Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said Friday. "Our main concern, obviously, is his well-being and long-term health, and second, when he can be back as a hockey player. But he's progressing but most likely he'll be out for the season." Kulich was knocked out of the lineup after recording five points (three goals, two assists) in 12 games.

Mar 7

Rasmus Dahlin • D • Sabres

Rasmus Dahlin Collects Three Points Saturday

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin recorded a goal and two assists in Saturday's 6-2 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dahlin scored the game's first goal and helped Buffalo get a 5-0 lead. His second assist came on the power play in the third period. This was Dahlin's 15th career three-point game, tying him for the 10th most all-time among Swedish defensemen. Three of those performances have come this season as Dahlin has been among the most productive blue-liners in the league. 51 points (12 goals, 39 assists) in 56 games puts Dahlin seventh among defensemen in scoring. He has been held off the score sheet just three times in his last 17 outings.

Mar 1

Zach Benson • LW • Sabres

Zach Benson Activated From Injured Reserve

Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) was activated from Injured Reserve, Heather Engel of NHL.com reports. He is poised to return from a four-game absence on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Benson has been a big part of Buffalo's success this season, posting a plus-16 rating and 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 42 outings. His return will affect Peyton Krebs' usage. To activate Benson, the Sabres reassigned Anton Wahlberg to the minors.

Feb 28

Alex Lyon • G • Sabres

Alex Lyon Picks Up Victory Against Former Club

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon stopped 27 of 29 shots on goal in Friday's 3-2 victory against the Panthers. Lyon was excellent throughout the contest in his first start since the Olympic break, with the second Panthers goal coming with just 33 seconds remaining in the game after Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin put the puck into his own net. Lyon has enjoyed a career-best season with a record of 14-8-3 to go along with two shutouts, a 2.69 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage through 28 appearances.

Feb 28

Zach Benson • LW • Sabres

Zach Benson Could Be an Option Friday

Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) could return to action on Friday against the Florida Panthers, Justin Alpert of Sabres.com reports. Benson skated Friday morning, and Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff hasn't ruled him out for the game. However, Ruff suggested Benson's return is more likely to come on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Benson has missed three games with an upper-body injury. He has contributed seven goals and 19 assists in 42 appearances this season. If Benson doesn't return on Friday, Peyton Krebs will continue to have a larger role.

Feb 27

Tage Thompson • C • Sabres

Tage Thompson Leads Sabres Past Devils

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson tallied a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 2-1 road victory over the New Jersey Devils. Thompson had a productive Olympic campaign and continued where he left off, scoring his 31st goal of the season and setting up Peyton Krebs for the game-winner. Thompson leads his team in scoring, with 61 points (31 goals, 30 assists) in 58 outings. He boasts 11 goals and 13 assists across his last 18 appearances. The 28-year-old will head out two more times this week as Buffalo faces a back-to-back set in Florida against the Panthers and Lightning.

Feb 26

Josh Norris • C • Sabres

Josh Norris Cleared to Return Wednesday

Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (ribs) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old injured his ribs in mid-January and has missed 12 games. Norris has also missed time with an upper-body injury this season, appearing in only 19 contests. He has recorded six goals and 11 assists. Norris' return provides a significant boost for Buffalo's forward group, especially with Zach Benson (upper body) expected to be sidelined for at least three more games. Norris will join the first power-play unit and skate with Josh Doan and Noah Ostlund at even strength.

Feb 23

Tage Thompson • C • Sabres

Tage Thompson Expected to Play in Olympic Final

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson (undisclosed) is expected to play in Sunday's Olympic final against Team Canada. The American forward missed the third period of Friday's semifinal win over Slovakia. Fortunately, it was only for precautionary reasons. Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters postgame that he anticipates Thompson being available for Sunday's gold-medal game. Thompson is having a big year with the Sabres this season and has also played well in the Olympics, posting three goals and four points in five games.

Feb 21

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen • G • Sabres

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Returns to Practice

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) was back at practice on Thursday, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reports. The Finnish netminder has been out since Jan. 27 due to a lower-body injury. It looks like Luukkonen could be ready to return when Buffalo continues its season on Feb. 25 against the New Jersey Devils. Luukkonen has done solid work for the team this season, posting an 11-7-2 record across 20 starts. He holds a 2.73 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. With Alex Lyon also in top form, the Sabres look poised to make a strong playoff push.

Feb 20

Zach Benson • LW • Sabres

Zach Benson Sits Out Second Straight Game

Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) will miss a second straight game on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Benson scored in Monday's 5-3 win over Florida but also sustained an upper-body injury. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff expects to have Benson back after the Olympic break. Josh Norris (upper body) is also on track to rejoin the lineup when the Sabres resume play on Feb. 24. He will miss his 12th consecutive game on Thursday. Jordan Greenway (abdomen) is also expected to remain out against Pittsburgh. As a result of the injuries up front, Peyton Krebs has joined the first line, giving his fantasy stock a massive boost.

Feb 5

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen • G • Sabres

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Out for Olympics

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) will be unavailable for Team Finland at the 2026 Olympics, with Joonas Korpisalo of the Columbus Blue Jackets named as an injury replacement. Luukkonen will sit out his fourth consecutive game on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Colten Ellis is likely to start the contest after Alex Lyon beat the Florida Panthers 5-3 with 38 saves on Monday night. Lyon has won 11 of his 12 starts, giving Buffalo a red-hot option in the crease while Luukkonen is on the mend.

Feb 3

Zach Benson • LW • Sabres

Zach Benson Suffers Upper-Body Injury Monday

Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) couldn't finish Monday's win over the Florida Panthers, leaving him questionable for Tuesday's tilt versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. "(He's) just being evaluated," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said postgame. "Couldn't finish the game. We'll see where he's at tomorrow." Benson scored Buffalo's third goal of the night. He appeared to have injured his left shoulder after crashing into the boards when he was tripped during a breakaway. Benson has accompanied Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the first line, while averaging 2:14 of power-play time. Josh Doan may move up in the lineup if Benson can't play on Tuesday.

Feb 3

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