Locked On Sabres - Daily Podcast On The Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres had an incredibly frustrating night against the Philadelphia Flyers that featured it's best two players both dropping the ball. Tage Thompson had maybe the worst effort play of his entire career, while Rasmus Dahlin was ejected for a dirty hit from behind on Trevor Zegras. How much criticism do the Sabres' best two players deserve, not just for this game, but for the entire season? Will Dahlin get suspended for his hit on Zegras? And we may have reached the end of the Colten Ellis experiment after allowing five more goals in a loss.

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The Buffalo Sabres are within shouting distance of both second place and third place in the Atlantic Division, despite winning just six of their last ten games. As the Sabres have picked up 12 of a possible 20 points, that has been good enough to gain ground on everyone in the division, except Tampa.

Sneaky Joe dives in on the standings, how bad the Bruins, Red Wings, and Canadiens have looked, and figures out that the Sabres likely need 30 wins from here until the end of the year to make the playoffs. Are they capable of that? P...

Josh Norris made his return to the Buffalo Sabres lineup against the Winnipeg Jets and put on a show with two goals and an assist, including a sick breakaway goal. Norris' return was a display of what the Sabres could be getting in their highest paid forward, IF he stays healthy going forward. The Zach Benson - Josh Norris - Tage Thompson line played exactly the way Lindy Ruff had been envisioning when he put them together in the preseason. Norris and Tage are the perfect partners for Benson on a line, making it less important that he has...

The Buffalo Sabres are getting their #1 center, at least on paper, back into the lineup in time to play the Winnipeg Jets. Josh Norris has played just four games for the Sabres, but is stepping right into a big role at the top of the lineup as he comes back from injury. What Norris returning does though, is moves Tage Thompson back to the wing, which Sneaky Joe does not believe is his best position. Can Norris help the powerplay? Will he play penalty kill? Plus, what we saw from Noah Ostlund, Colten Ellis, and others in the win...

The Buffalo Sabres were embarrassed at home with Terry Pegula in attendance by a score of 5-0 to the New Jersey Devils. A sellout KeyBank Center crowd was left to chant to "sell the team" and "fire Adams" as the team was getting routed. Despite severely outshooting New Jersey and having the better of the chances, Jake Allen outplayed Alex Lyon by a lot and the Sabres couldn't get the goals they needed.

There is simply nothing left to do with this team other than Kevyn Adams getting fired. Everyone is playing the waiting game until that...

The Buffalo Sabres went into Sidney Crosby's house and outplayed the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, thanks to another poor performance from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Sabres lost the game. UPL getting himself out of control on a couple of different plays cost the Sabres two goals that they could not afford to give up. Sneaky Joe campaigns for this being the final straw for UPL's Sabres career. However, there is a trade rumor that implies Kevyn Adams is not thinking the same way.

Plus, another great performance from the Jack Quinn - Ryan McLeod - Jason Zucker line, but...

The Buffalo Sabres are looking to gain ground in the Eastern Conference and they're going to have to do it on the road, with 8 of their next 10 away from KeyBank Center. First up, a matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins who are finding success this season behind a rejuvenated Evgeni Malkin and a still great Sidney Crosby.

Sneaky Joe lays out why he believes if the Sabres simply avoid taking penalties, they should beat the Penguins. Also, why he likes Jack Quinn to find the scoresheet in this game. And does Alex Lyon have a future on this...

The Buffalo Sabres have now won four of their last five games after a win over the top-seed Carolina Hurricanes, led by a tremendous performance from the line of Jason Zucker - Ryan McLeod - Jack Quinn. Plus, a strong performance from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was critical in the Sabres win. However, we'd be crazy to not gush over Beck Malenstyn's highlight reel goal which gave the Sabres a 3-1 lead in the second period. Also, a look at the standings shows the Sabres are right in the thick of it in a bad Atlantic Division.

The Buffalo Sabres bounced back from their worst game of the season with their best game of the season, scoring NINE GOALS against the Chicago Blackhawks. Big games from Josh Doan, Alex Tuch, Mattias Samuelsson, and many others showed up with big performances. Sneaky Joe explains why he does not believe the Sabres are unique in looking terrible on one night, and looking amazing the next. In this game, the Sabres also saw how valuable the return of Jason Zucker is. Plus, a look at the standings, with the Sabres still in last, but not that many points back...

The Buffalo Sabres found a way, not just to lose, but to be blown out by the worst team in the NHL, the Calgary Flames, who had played the night before. In the most embarrassing effort of the season, Sneaky Joe says this is a day to fire GM Kevyn Adams, even though we don't expect it to happen. Plus, what Mattias Samuelsson had to say calling out some teammates for being passengers. Samuelsson had another two-point night, and is finding himself in a leadership role. Also, did Colten Ellis blow his opportunity to be the team's starting goalie?<...

The Buffalo Sabres have been searching for a #1 goalie since Ryan Miller was traded over a decade ago. Is it possible they have one in Colten Ellis? Lindy Ruff is presently treating Ellis like a #1, as he gets his fourth start in five games against the Calgary Flames. The matchup with Calgary is a must-win, as the Sabres get the worst team in the NHL, at home, against a backup goalie, with Calgary on the second of a back to back. Cannot lose.

Sneaky Joe previews the matchup against the Flames, who have way better underlying numbers...

In what was probably the most complete effort of the season, the Buffalo Sabres blowout the Edmonton Oilers with a 5-1 win at Key Bank Center, led by a two-goal night from Noah Ostlund. Are Ostlund and Isak Rosen playing well enough to warrant keeping them in the lineup permanently? Lindy Ruff will have tough decisions to make when Jason Zucker, Zach Benson, and Josh Norris return.

Plus, how the Sabres completely shutdown Connor McDavid and the Oilers' top line, deploying Tyson Kozak, Jordan Greenway, and Peyton Krebs in that matchup. And Colten Ellis gives the Sabres...

The Buffalo Sabres and Edmonton Oilers made a big trade last year in which Ryan McLeod was sent to Buffalo for Matthew Savoie, who has not done much in 24 games with the Oilers so far. A look at what has happened so far shows the Sabres are getting everything they wanted when they acquired McLeod, and the Oilers are trying everything to get something out of Savoie, including playing him a lot with Connor McDavid.

Is Savoie ever going to become an impact NHL player? Some of the numbers show he's not flashing that type of potential...

The Buffalo Sabres were down 4-1 in the 2nd period in Detroit on Saturday night. With the season getting away from them, the Sabres got a much needed comeback win, scoring four unanswered and winning 5-4 in overtime over the Red Wings. Tage Thompson was dominant in the game, having a role in four of the five goals, including throwing Alex DeBrincat to the side as he set up Mattias Samuelsson for the overtime winner.

Sneaky Joe talks Rasmus Dahlin's return and how massive that could be for the Sabres in saving their season. And should Colten...

The Buffalo Sabres lost again, this time to the Colorado Avalanche, and they're now six points out of a playoff spot. With the season going off the rails fast, should we be on the lookout for Terry Pegula to fire Kevyn Adams? There are a couple of signals that point to the answer could be yes. Should we expect a new GM or coach to do any more with this team right now than the current regime is? Plus, what went wrong against the Avs, and why Joe actually is interested in a bet on the Sabres to make...

The Buffalo Sabres fans were largely being gentle with the team with so many players missing in action, but that changed after losing to the Utah Mammoth. As young guys like Noah Ostlund and Isak Rosen stepped up on the team's second line, the team's first line of Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Ryan McLeod was no where to be found. Something that cannot happen when you're getting guys to step up that aren't typically in the lineup. After leading 2-0, and giving up five unanswered goals to JJ Peterka and the Mammoth, Sneaky Joe believes fans have every...

The Buffalo Sabres are in Utah looking for redemption on their early November loss to the Mammoth, and are trying to dig their way out of last place. Colten Ellis is expected to start in goal for just his second start of the season. Why should we be excited about the potential of Ellis? What happens with Ellis if he has a great start? What if he has a terrible start?

Plus, why the Mammoth have been struggling as of late, other than their win in Buffalo earlier this month. Should we expect the Sabres skeleton-squad lineup...

Through 15 games of the regular season, the Buffalo Sabres are in last place, but some of the numbers show that they are a middle of the road hockey team, especially offensively. Sneaky Joe looks at the story of what the numbers say this year, including that Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin have let the team down a bit offensively, while the team has actually allowed more defensively this season than you might expect. Is Lindy Ruff's system working defensively? Can they keep it going with Rasmus Dahlin?

Plus, why the powerplay is struggling again, as Jason Zucker...

The Buffalo Sabres have won just one game in their last seven and sit in last place in the Eastern Conference. On top of that Rasmus Dahlin has left for Europe due to a personal reason, Jason Zucker has a severe illness, and Jiri Kulich is dealing with blood clots on top of all the other injured players. How are the Sabres going to dig out of this whole?

Sneaky Joe points to the likes of Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen, and Owen Power as players that have to perform or the Sabres are doomed for another lost...

As the Utah Mammoth are in Buffalo, it's an opportunity to take a look at the big offseason trade between the Sabres and Mammoth that included JJ Peterka, Josh Doan, and Michael Kesselring. At the moment, both teams are getting exactly what they wanted out of that deal, making it the rare 'win-win'. How good has Peterka been for Utah so far? Will Josh Doan continue to perform at a top-six level? When will Kesselring's role expand? Plus, the Sabres are dealing with limited forward options without Jason Zucker and Jiri Kulich.

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The Buffalo Sabres have a little point streak they've put together, following a win over the Washington Capitals in a shootout, which has the Sabres close to the top and the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shows up for his best game of the season, carrying the Sabres in both overtime and the shootout of the Washington game, until Bowen Byram finally won it. The Sabres may have to throw a lineup together when they play Utah, as Jason Zucker and Jiri Kulich's statuses are in doubt. Who should start in goal tomorrow? 
 

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The Buffalo Sabres have had three results in a row that are exactly the same result. A 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins has fans asking what is wrong with this team once they get to overtime? Sneaky Joe looks at mistakes by Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson which led to Thursday's loss, as well as the worst performance of the season by Alex Lyon. Should the Sabres change up anything in overtime? Plus, what Joe believes Lindy Ruff should do with his goaltending trio, a make-it-take-it strategy involving Lyon, Colten Ellis, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

The Buffalo Sabres had another lead, late in the third period, and again squandered it, this time to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sneaky Joe looks at Owen Power's performance from Wednesday night, which featured turnovers, a mistake on the game winning goal, and a question of whether he's even 100% healthy right now. Plus, Jiri Kulich's mistakes on the final goal, a great performance from Josh Dunne and the fourth line, and Michael Kesselring shining in his Sabres debut.

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The Buffalo Sabres are getting back their biggest acquisition of the offseason with Michael Kesselring making his debut after missing nine games with an injury. Sneaky Joe talks what to expect from maybe playing with Bowen Byram, to Kesselring's slapshot, to his defensive ability. Plus, Alex Lyon is going back in as the team's starting goaltender. Columbus, meanwhile, is one of the top defensive teams in the league this year so far, but not when the other team goes to the powerplay. Why the Sabres will need the man-advantage to step up for them in this game.

The Buffalo Sabres looked very impressive against the Toronto Maple Leafs in two games this weekend. A weekend that should've featured four points, while not allowing the Leafs to get a single point, but Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had other plans. A soft goal allowed by UPL on Saturday in Toronto ends up costing the Sabres, bringing Sneaky Joe to campaign for UPL to be the Sabres #3 goaltender until further notice. Will the Sabres play Colten Ellis over UPL at their next chance? Joe also plays out where Alex Lyon and Ellis should get starts over the next two weeks.

The Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Maple Leafs have a home and home that starts in Buffalo on Friday night. The Leafs are not off to a good start this season as they try to adjust to life without Mitch Marner. Toronto so far are seeing a depleted powerplay, a lack of goaltending, and a top-six that doesn't look nearly as strong as it used to. Plus, what the Sabres should do with a goalie trio of Alex Lyon, Colten Ellis, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen now that everyone is here. Joe argues why Lyon and Ellis should split the net...

The Buffalo Sabres get the win over the Detroit Red Wings at home, led by Colten Ellis in his first start of his NHL career. Sneaky Joe breaks down Ellis' special night, in which he was the game's #1 star, featuring a couple of big breakaway saves. If Ellis can string a few good games together in a row, could he push Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen out of the rotation? Also, Jack Quinn's three-point night is what Sabres fans have been dying for, ever since he was drafted in the top-ten. Quinn had both an incredible assist and incredible goal against Detroit.<...

After falling to the Canadiens in Montreal, the Buffalo Sabres are looking for a bounce back at home against the Detroit Red Wings, with a couple new pieces in the lineup. Colten Ellis will get his first career NHL start, a player Sneaky Joe likes the potential for in the Sabres' net. Also, Noah Ostlund gets his first real crack at showing something on a line with Jason Zucker and Jack Quinn.

Plus, a look back at what went wrong for the Sabres in Montreal, a game that could've easily gone either way. And after hitting on...

The Buffalo Sabres finally got a win over the Ottawa Senators, so everyone's in a good mood. This comes just days after lots of rumors and reports about the futures of Kevyn Adams, Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin, and Tage Thompson. As we dive into the futures of the Sabres most important figures, how quickly could the Sabres fire Adams and promote Jarmo Kekalainen? Joe shares why we should not be expecting an Alex Tuch extension anytime soon. And maybe we should be optimistic about Dahlin and Thompson's loyalty to Buffalo? 

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The Buffalo Sabres get their first win of the season and it finally featured some offense! Eight goals of offense! Huge games from Zach Benson, Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod, Alex Tuch, and plenty of others finally got Sabres fans juiced up and into the game. Sneaky Joe breaks down the win, from the reviewed goal by Ottawa early on, to McLeod's massive shorthanded goal, to Lindy Ruff's timeout in the third period.

What signs did we see from this win that could carry into future games? Benson's inclusion in the lineup could be the biggest thing to...

The Buffalo Sabres, again, showed an inability to generate offense against the Colorado Avalanche, as they, again, lose by a 3-1 score. Lindy Ruff is looking to make changes to the lineup already, and Jiri Kulich is the man that could be on the outside looking in after a slow start. With Josh Norris out and Jiri Kulich potentially being scratched, who is going to play center? Sneaky Joe looks at the lineup and what went wrong against the Avalanche.

Plus, why the next six games are big for the Sabres, starting with a matchup with the...

Through two games the Buffalo Sabres are showing an inability to score goals and generate any consistent scoring threat. Against the Bruins, the Sabres came out flat, again, and had Lindy Ruff calling their effort one of the worst he's ever seen. Sneaky Joe looks at the offensive issues, that starts with their lack of talent up front, and ends with their terrible start to the season on the powerplay. How have we arrived already at Justin Danforth on the ice in the final minute to try and tie a hockey game? Plus, Alex Tuch's struggles through two games...

The Buffalo Sabres could not have had a worse season opener against the New York Rangers, on a night where the team did not score a goal, and their number one center, Josh Norris, was already injured. Just how much of a disaster is it to have Norris already hurt? Sneaky Joe talks the short-term and also long-term downside of this Norris injury. With the Rangers shutting out the Sabres, why we should likely expect a lot of games this season to look like a struggle scoring, as last night did. What should we expect from Sabres vs. Bruins...

The Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 regular season is here! The Sabres, while dealing with some injuries to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Michael Kesselring, open the year against the New York Rangers who were shut out in their first game of the season. Sneaky Joe looks at tonight's lineup, including who Owen Power will play with, and whether Mason Geersten will work his way into the lineup to possibly fight Matt Rempe.

Plus, why Joe likes the under on tonight's game featuring Lindy Ruff's defensive style against an elite goalie in Igor Shesterkin. Also, why the Rangers forward group is...

There's more and more optimism surrounding the Buffalo Sabres as we approach the regular season opener against the New York Rangers. Sneaky Joe DiBiase has his final projections on where the Sabres will finish based on what looks like an improved defensive roster, confidence in Josh Norris and Jiri Kulich, and a massive season from Rasmus Dahlin. However, how worried should we really be about a goalie situation entering the year of Alex Lyon and a guy who's never played in the NHL in Colten Ellis?

Plus, why Joe believes Ottawa is about to have a huge...

Owen Power, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Michael Kesselring, Jordan Greenway, Zach Benson, and others are all banged up going into the Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 regular season. With a game coming in just days, just how depleted are the Sabres going to be? Of the injuries, the Sabres could really use Owen Power who is going to be close to playing on Thursday against the New York Rangers. Can the Sabres survive without their second defense pairing available to them?

UPL's injury means another new goalie on the scene as the Sabres have claimed Colten Ellis off waivers. Sneaky Joe...

We are one week away from the start of the Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 regular season and the Sabres are dealing with a ton of injuries to the likes of Michael Kesselring, Jordan Greenway, Bowen Byram, Mattias Samuelsson, and another injury to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. How concerned should we be about UPL's injury, who has a history of hip injuries. Not to make the matter worse, but Alex Georgiev continues to struggle in the preseason. Should the Sabres give James Reimer a call?

Plus, what all the injuries on the blueline mean for opening night against the Rangers, and...

Can the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings FINALLY snap their historically long playoff droughts? Can the Boston Bruins return to their usual winning ways after a disaster season? And are the Montreal Canadiens the class of this crop of four squads? In a special Atlantic Divison Hopefuls season preview, Joe DiBiase (Locked On Sabres), Brian Fisher (Locked On Red Wings), Ian McLaren (Locked On Bruins) and Ian Boisvert (Locked On Canadiens) link up to talk about life in the bottom half of the loaded Atlantic Division, and what the path to the playoffs looks like for each of...

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is back practicing and will play in the preseason. So, with UPL back, what is going to happen with the Buffalo Sabres at the goalie position? Is UPL definitely going to start opening night? What is going to happen to Alex Georgiev? Waivers? The AHL? Stay in the NHL as the third string guy? Plus, Ryan Johnson is having a strong camp and is earning a shot at the opening night lineup with the Sabres injuries on the blueline. Is Johnson ahead of Jacob Bryson on the depth chart?

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As we approach the Buffalo Sabres season, we're seeing more and more belief that this could actually be the year they finally make the playoffs. Why the cause of optimism and what are the reasons some analysts think the Sabres could be a team that gets 90 points or more this season? Many are pointing to their added defensive talent, but also overall depth compared to other teams.

Sneaky Joe looks at the Sabres preseason with over the Red Wings which was another dominant performance by the Tage Thompson - Josh Norris - Zach Benson line. Have we...