Robin Lehner wasn’t busy in overtime. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres lose shootout to Senators

BUFFALO – In the modern NHL, contests like the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators – low-scoring, drab affairs – are all too common.

An abundance of speed and slick talent in the game hasn’t translated into more entertainment or goals. Instead, teams executive rigid systems, playing it conservative.

Wednesday’s snoozer before 17,884 fans inside KeyBank Center was a prime example.

“I don’t think either team gives a lot of room out there, ... Read the full article

Evander Kane was injured Oct. 13. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Evander Kane ready to play; Jack Eichel progressing

BUFFALO – For the next little bit, Evander Kane will likely have to endure some pain on the ice. The Sabres winger, out since breaking four ribs Oct. 13, hasn’t quite healed 100 percent.

“I don’t think anything is really healed kind of right when I get back, but it’s healed enough to where I can play and come back,” said Kane, who will return tonight against the Ottawa Senators. “I’m sure there’ll be ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner made 32 saves Saturday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner stars in comeback win against Senators

OTTAWA – Buffalo Sabres goalie Robin Lehner, coach Dan Bylsma said recently, gets a twinkle in his eye whenever he plays the Senators.

Lehner, 25, clearly relishes beating his old team, which traded him to keep Saturday’s counterpart, Craig Anderson, who’s 10 years older.

“Absolutely I can tell that,” a grinning Bylsma said following the Sabres’ 2-1 comeback win, a game in which Lehner starred, stopping 32 shots.

The Swede dazzled strong throughout his ... Read the full article

Nick Baptiste played his first NHL game in Ottawa on Saturday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste feels support in Ottawa

OTTAWA – As a native of nearby Barrhaven, about a 10-minute drive from the Canadian Tire Centre, Buffalo Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste had quite the cheering section for his sixth NHL game.

“There’s going to be a lot of people here tonight – a lot of family, friends, teachers, people in the area,” Baptiste said prior to Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win against the Senators, his first NHL appearance here. “My brother’s whole hockey team is ... Read the full article

Nick Baptiste has played well in his first NHL games. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste ready for hometown debut

OTTAWA – As a native of nearby Barrhaven, about a 10-minute drive from the Canadian Tire Centre, Buffalo Sabres rookie Nick Baptiste will have quite the cheering section tonight for his sixth NHL game.

“There’s going to be a lot of people here tonight – a lot of family, friends, teachers, people in the area,” Baptiste said after the Sabres’ optional morning skate. “My brother’s whole hockey team is coming. There’s going to be quite ... Read the full article

Zach Bogosian had been playing more than 20 minutes a night. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zach Bogosian out ‘weeks’ with knee sprain; Casey Nelson set to sub

BUFFALO – As a college freshman three years ago, sitting as a healthy scratch for weeks burned rookie Sabres defenseman Casey Nelson.

“It shut me down in college,” said Nelson, who will play his first NHL game since the opener tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside KeyBank Center.

Eventually, Nelson, 24, developed a different attitude – “You kind of grow up a little,” he said – and earned regular duty.

That experience in ... Read the full article

oalie Anders Nilsson makes a save through traffic during second period Saturday afternoon. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Anders Nilsson shuts out Panthers

BUFFALO – Early in the Sabres’ 3-0 victory Saturday afternoon, as Dan Bylsma watched Anders Nilsson gobble up puck after puck, the coach had an ill-timed thought about his goalie’s strong performance against the Florida Panthers.

“I don’t like it when I have thoughts like this,” Bylsma said after the Sabres’ first home win ended their four-game losing streak. “He just looked so solid, so confident in net you thought it was going to be ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart smiles after scoring Saturday afternoon. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart finally scores first goal

BUFFALO – As the seven-game mark approached, Sabres forward Sam Reinhart figured after all his missed opportunities, his first goal would be fluky.

“The way the year has been going, that’s the way the first one had to go in, because the chances have been there,” Reinhart said after scoring a power-play goal late in Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win against the Florida Panthers inside KeyBank Center.

Sure enough, 8:48 into the third period, Reinhart tried ... Read the full article

Ryan O’Reilly believes the Sabres have done some things well. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres must build off positives in losses

BUFFALO – Ryan O’Reilly started rattling off some of the good things the struggling Sabres have recently accomplished within their losses.

“There’s little things in every game that we’re doing well,” the center said Friday after the Sabres prepared for this afternoon’s tilt against the Florida Panthers inside KeyBank Center. “But it’s just our consistency with it.”

The Sabres played their most consistent contest Oct. 20 in Vancouver, O’Reilly said. They enjoyed a monster three-goal ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner was off the ice four days. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner set to start Sunday; Jack Eichel out of boot

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Robin Lehner, sidelined two games by a “stomach bug,” said he will likely start Sunday afternoon’s road contest against the Winnipeg Jets.

“I’m ready,” Lehner said today after practicing inside KeyBank Center.

Lehner said he won’t play Saturday afternoon. Sabres coach Dan Bylsma, meanwhile, wouldn’t divulge his starter for the Florida Panthers.

“We’ll see on our goaltender,” Bylsma said.

Goalies Anders Nilsson, Lehner’s sub, and Linus Ullmark also practiced ... Read the full article