Marcus Foligno skates Monday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Injury-plagued Sabres could get 3 players back against Red Wings

BUFFALO – There is some good news for the reeling, injury-ravaged Sabres. They could have three players back tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. Of course, 13 – yes, a stunning 13 – are hurt right now.

Incredibly, the NHL’s worst team lost three more players in the third period of Sunday’s disastrous 5-2 loss in Philadelphia.

Goalie Nathan Lieuwen, who has a disturbing history of concussions, suffered another one, coach Ted ... Read the full article

Goalie Nathan Lieuwen has a history of concussions. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Injuries still ravaging Sabres; Goalie Nathan Lieuwen out with concussion

BUFFALO – There is some good news. The Sabres could have three injured players back Tuesday against Detroit. Of course, 13 players – yes, a stunning 13 – are hurt right now.

Incredibly, the Sabres suffered three more injuries in the third period of Sunday’s 5-2 loss in Philadelphia.

– Goalie Nathan Lieuwen, who has a disturbing history of concussions, suffered another one, coach Ted Nolan said. Philadelphia’s Jay Rosehill possibly hit the rookie ... Read the full article

Nathan Lieuwen makes a big glove stop Tuesday on New Jersey’s Jaromir Jagr. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Dan Hickling on capturing Sabres goalie Nathan Lieuwen’s nifty glove save on Jaromir Jagr

Here’s Dan Hickling, our ace photographer, on capturing Nathan Lieuwen’s big glove save on the legendary Jaromir Jagr in Tuesday’s dramatic 3-2 shootout win against the New Jersey Devils, the rookie’s first NHL win.

Take it away, Dan …

Jaromir Jagr will be a certain first ballot Hall of Famer once his number finally does come up. He began his storied NHL career way back in 1990, which was one year before Sabres rookie ... Read the full article

Jake McCabe signed a three-year contract Wednesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Jake McCabe ready for NHL debut

Buffalo Sabres rookie Jake McCabe knows he’ll feel more nerves tonight during his NHL debut tonight in St. Louis against the Blues.

“Even out in the pregame skate, I’m sure my heart rate was getting up there, for sure,” the defenseman told reporters this afternoon in St. Louis. “This is a whole new level.”

The 20-year-old, the 44th overall pick in 2012, played three NCAA seasons before signing a three-year, entry level contract ... Read the full article

Ville Leino fires his shootout-clinching goal past New Jersey goalie Cory Schneider on Tuesday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Unlikely heroics from Ville Leino and Nathan Lieuwen lift Sabres to shootout win against Devils

BUFFALO – Nine rounds into Tuesday’s shootout, Sabres coach Ted Nolan turned to John Scott on the bench.

“Watch the crowd go crazy on this one,” Nolan told the winger after sending out Ville Leino, the fans’ No. 1 whipping boy, with a chance to win the game.

Sure enough, instead of booing Leino, who has zero goals in 53 games this season, the capacity crowd of 19,070 fans inside the First Niagara Center ... Read the full article

Nathan Lieuwen will make his third start tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Nathan Lieuwen to start tonight; Nick Deslauriers out up front

BUFFALO – To Ted Nolan, Nathan Lieuwen has the technical aspect of goaltending down. The Sabres coach just wants the 22-year-old rookie, who will start tonight against the New Jersey Devils, to be a little bit more aggressive in net.

“The one thing we always say with forwards, we want to see how competitive you are. And same thing with goaltenders,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “You have to come out. ... Read the full article

Matt Hackett made 29 saves Saturday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Matt Hackett still confident he can grab top job

BUFFALO – Nothing has changed, Matt Hackett said. Forget that he was enduring a terrible season in Rochester before injuries forced his recall. Forget that general manager Tim Murray recently said the Sabres’ goalie of the future likely wasn’t in the organization.

Hackett, a key piece of April’s Jason Pominville trade with the Wild, hasn’t lost much confidence. The 24-year-old still believes he can become the team’s No. 1 netminder, a coveted spot that’s up ... Read the full article

Matt Hackett hasn’t played in the NHL since March 29. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Matt Hackett to start against Oilers

With Matt Hackett starting Thursday against the Oilers, the Buffalo Sabres will use five goalies in a season for the first time since 1995-96.

The Sabres are missing starter Jhonas Enroth (right leg) and backup Michal Neuvirth (lower body).

Neuvirth faced shots during Wednesday’s practice and could be available Sunday in Vancouver, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters in Edmonton.

“He’s doing a lot better right now,” Nolan said.

Rookie Nathan Lieuwen started ... Read the full article

Nathan Lieuwen made his NHL debut on Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ goalie situation unclear with injuries; Rookie Nathan Lieuwen could start against Flames

BUFFALO – A day after his surprising NHL debut, everything had settled down a bit for Sabres rookie Nathan Lieuwen.

Lieuwen said his body felt OK after playing three games in three days, a rarity for a goalie. He even remembered some of the action he faced Sunday. Memories were a blur following his 22-minute, 10-save relief appearance in the Sabres’ 2-0 loss to Montreal.

“I could remember a few more things this ... Read the full article

Matt Hackett has endured a rough AHL season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall goalie Matt Hackett from Amerks

BUFFALO – With starting goalie Jhonas Enroth sidelined by a right leg injury and backup Michal Neuvirth day-to-day with a lower-body ailment, the Sabres today recalled Matt Hackett from Rochester on an emergency basis.

The Sabres, who start a five-game road trip Tuesday in Calgary, only had one healthy goalie on the roster, rookie Nathan Lieuwen.

The 24-year-old Hackett has endured a rough AHL season with the Americans, going 13-17-2 with a 3.07 goals-against average ... Read the full article