Sunday mornings are for coffee, checking the standings, and catching up on everything we might have missed while focusing on the Sabres’ push for the playoffs. Around the NHL is our new weekly tradition here at SabresHub, where we step outside the 716 to bring you the best hockey writing and breaking news from around the league. From trade rumors out West to highlight-reel goals in the Metropolitan, we’ve curated the top stories of the week so you can get caught up in one quick stop. Sportsnet.ca: NHL sets date for 2026 Draft Lottery – The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery is officially set for May 5, with fans able to catch the live results on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. Following the format established in 2021, the first two overall picks for the June draft—which is being held right here in Buffalo—will be determined through two separate draws, though the lottery winner can only jump a maximum of 10 spots in the...Read More

SYRACUSE, NY — The Rochester Americans (27-25-5-3) exploded for three goals in the opening frame to erase an early deficit, but a scoreless final forty minutes allowed the Syracuse Crunch (39-20-3-2) to storm back for a 5-3 victory on Saturday night. The loss at Upstate Medical University Arena marks the front end of a home-and-home weekend series between the two North Division rivals. The high-event matchup featured a combined 55 shots, 28 penalty minutes, and four power-play tallies. In a rare statistical anomaly, both teams were awarded penalty shots in the same contest—a first in Syracuse Crunch franchise history. Opening Period Fireworks The game began at a breakneck pace with Syracuse jumping out to a 2-0 lead within the first five minutes. Jakob Pelletier opened the scoring just 23 seconds in with his 27th of the year, followed shortly by an Ethan Gauthier point shot that found its way through traffic. Rochester responded with a physical spark following a heavyweight...Read More

The Buffalo Sabres proved their resilience at KeyBank Center on Saturday, snapping a three-game winless skid with a gritty 3-2 shootout victory over the Seattle Kraken. In a game defined by physical play and special teams, the Sabres overcame early discipline issues and a two-goal deficit to secure two crucial points in the Atlantic Division race. While defensive lapses and a high volume of giveaways threatened to derail the night, a historic milestone from the captain and a lockdown performance in the shootout ensured Buffalo moved one step closer to clinching their postseason berth. Kraken Strike First: Loose Puck Management Costs Sabres The Buffalo Sabres opened the first period with plenty of speed, looking to dictate the pace early on. They earned the game’s first power play at 2:34 when Adam Larsson was whistled for hooking Alex Tuch, and while the Sabres failed to convert, they did manage to generate several quality looks. However, the early momentum shifted toward special...Read More

The Rochester Americans (27-24-5-4) continue their most demanding stretch of the 2026 season tonight as they travel to take on the Syracuse Crunch. Coming off a high-scoring 5-2 victory over the Toronto Marlies, the Amerks are hunting for their third consecutive win. This momentum is vital as the club enters the weekend with the second-toughest remaining schedule in the Eastern Conference. Here is what you need to know before tonight’s puck drop at Upstate Medical University Arena. Chasing a Season-High Win Streak Rochester’s offense has suddenly ignited, racking up 11 goals over the last two games. Friday’s win was a balanced effort that saw five different players find the net, including a game-winner from Anton Wahlberg and a 27-save performance by Devon Levi. While the Amerks are finding their stride, the Crunch are looking to rebound after a narrow 4-3 loss to Hershey, which was only their eighth regulation defeat at home this year. Although Syracuse has already punched their...Read More

The Buffalo Sabres return to the ice tonight at KeyBank Center with a clear objective: snap a three-game winless skid and reinforce their grip on the Atlantic Division. After a frustrating 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, Buffalo (44-21-8) faces a quick turnaround against a Seattle Kraken team fighting for its playoff life in the West. Despite the recent 0-1-2 stretch, the Sabres remain in the driver’s seat with 96 points. Their magic number to clinch a postseason berth currently sits at 11, making every point crucial as the calendar turns toward April. Game Information Matchup: Seattle Kraken (32-29-10) vs. Buffalo Sabres (44-21-8) Venue: KeyBank Center – Buffalo, NY Puck Drop: 5:30 P.M. TV/Stream: MSG / Gotham Sports App Radio: WGR 550 Cleaning Up the Discipline The Sabres’ recent struggles can be traced back to two specific areas: slow starts and trips to the penalty box. Buffalo has surrendered early leads in their last two outings and...Read More

The Rochester Americans continued their dominance at Blue Cross Arena on Friday night, jumping out to an early lead and holding off a late push to defeat the Toronto Marlies 5-2. With the victory, Rochester finishes their season series against Toronto with an even 3-3-0-0 record, highlighted by an undefeated 3-0 mark in front of the home fans. Rochester’s ability to protect their own barn was the difference-maker in the series, as they outscored the Marlies 13-8 at home compared to a much tougher time on the road. Hot Start Ignites the Offense It didn’t take long for the Amerks to set the tone. Just 93 seconds into the opening frame, Carson Meyer intercepted a breakout attempt and redirected a feed from Jake Leschyshyn to put Rochester on the board. The momentum stayed with the home team throughout the first period. Matteo Costantini doubled the advantage before the six-minute mark, capitalizing on a crisp cross-ice pass from defenseman Zac Jones....Read More

The Buffalo Sabres learned a harsh lesson in efficiency on Friday night, as a dominant physical performance and a significant shot advantage weren’t enough to overcome a disastrous night for the special teams. Despite outshooting the Detroit Red Wings 30–20 and nearly tripling them in hits, Buffalo’s inability to capitalize on the power play—coupled with a pair of costly first-period penalties—paved the way for a 5-2 defeat at KeyBank Center. While Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin provided sparks of hope, a late-game double-minor and a clinical Detroit man-advantage ultimately stifled the comeback bid, leaving the Sabres to search for answers before a quick turnaround against the Seattle Kraken. Special Teams Struggles Sink Sabres in Disastrous First Period vs. Red Wings The opening frame proved to be a nightmare for the Sabres’ special teams. Despite a starting lineup of Josh Norris, Zach Benson, and Josh Doan, the momentum shifted early when Norris was whistled for a high-sticking minor against J.T. Compher...Read More

The Buffalo Sabres return to KeyBank Center this Friday at 7 p.m. with a clear mission: shake off a rare slump and re-establish the dominant form that has defined their season. Currently sitting atop the Atlantic Division with 96 points, Buffalo faces a Detroit Red Wings squad desperate to claw back into the playoff picture. Despite back-to-back overtime losses against Boston and Anaheim, the Sabres have remained remarkably resilient. The team hasn’t dropped three consecutive games since their incredible 33-6-4 run began in early December. Leadership within the locker room has emphasized a “find it and fix it” mentality, shifting the focus away from recent frustrations and toward the visiting Red Wings. Game Preview: Detroit Red Wings (38-25-8) vs. Buffalo Sabres (44-20-8) Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY Puck Drop: 7:00 PM ET Broadcast: MSG (Local), NHL Network (Out of Market) Streaming: Gotham Sports App Radio: WGR 550 Sabres Lineup and Tactical Notes Head coach Lindy Ruff appears to be turning...Read More

The final stretch of March has arrived, and the Rochester Americans are diving into their most grueling schedule of the season. Starting Friday night at Blue Cross Arena, the Amerks (26-24-5-4) take on the Toronto Marlies (32-21-5-5) in the first of three games over the next three days. With postseason positioning on the line, every point is magnified as Rochester prepares for a 24-day sprint to the finish line. Momentum from a Thrilling Comeback Rochester enters the weekend riding high after a spectacular showing against the Hartford Wolf Pack. Despite falling behind early, the team rattled off five straight goals to secure a 6-3 victory. The story of the night was Konsta Helenius, who showcased why he is one of the elite teenagers in the AHL by recording his second career hat trick. Jake Leschyshyn provided the go-ahead goal against his former club, while the defense stood tall behind Devon Levi, who turned aside 33 shots to earn his 18th...Read More

The Buffalo Sabres returned to the ice at KeyBank Center this Thursday with a clear mission: evaluate, adjust, and move forward. Following a hard-fought 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Wednesday, the team isn’t letting a minor stumble disrupt their incredible momentum. Despite the loss, Buffalo managed to secure a critical point in the standings, continuing a dominant stretch where they have earned 26 out of a possible 30 points since the Olympic break. Fine-Tuning the Details Head coach Lindy Ruff wasted no time addressing the areas for improvement, leading the squad through targeted whiteboard sessions and drills before the official practice began. The focus remains on self-correction. The leadership group, including captain Rasmus Dahlin, emphasized the importance of dissecting the mistakes made during the first two periods against Boston to ensure they aren’t repeated. The team’s “find it, fix it, and forget it” mentality has been a cornerstone of their success. Buffalo has managed to avoid any...Read More