Jared Cowen will sit against the Sabres on Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Jared Cowen suspended 2 games for hit on Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons

BUFFALO – The NHL has suspended Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen two games for an illegal check to Zemgus Girgensons’ head late in the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout win Tuesday.

In a video explaining the ban, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan noted that while Cowen had tucked in his elbow, he drove his left shoulder into Girgensons’ head, the main point of contact, as the winger entered the Ottawa zone. Girgensons made no sudden movements, Shanahan ... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons stuffs his shootout winner past Ottawa goalie Robin Lehner on Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres overcome blown call, adversity to beat Senators in shootout

BUFFALO – The best part of the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout win, interim coach Ted Nolan said, came 15:30 into the second period, when officials disallowed what appeared to be his team’s go-ahead goal.

Wait, what? Why would Nolan say that?

The Sabres have crumbled under adversity all season. But on Tuesday, after a delayed penalty possession whistle wiped out Jamie McBain’s score, they kept fighting against the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center.

“It ... Read the full article

Ville Leino has been a healthy scratch twice this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan benches Ville Leino for Sabres’ win against Senators

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he isn’t down on or losing patience with Sabres center Ville Leino.

So why did the interim coach scratch the Finn, who has zero goals this season, for Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center?

“Certain players with a certain skill set, they have to bring it,” Nolan said prior to the game. “And if you’re not going to play as well as ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan is known for demanding a strong effort. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ted Nolan starting to see which Sabres give best efforts

BUFFALO – In the last week or so, Ted Nolan has noticed a shift among the struggling Sabres.

“The good guys are starting to rise a little bit, and the guys who are not putting that effort in game in, game out, they’re starting to stick out a bit, too,” the interim coach said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “So one thing you do with the team is you kind of hold them ... Read the full article

Ville Leino has zero goals this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ville Leino to sit tonight, not sure what Ted Nolan wants from him

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he isn’t down on or losing patience with Sabres center Ville Leino.

So why is the interim coach scratching the Finn, who has zero goals this season, tonight against the Ottawa Senators?

“Certain players with a certain skill set, they have to bring it,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “And if you’re not going to play as well as you can, sometimes it’s better to ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers said the Sabres have stopped getting “absolutely abominated.” ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Despite losses, Sabres feeling good again, believe they’re on right path

BUFFALO – The end result hasn’t changed much yet. On paper, at least, the Sabres are still a terrible hockey team.

They’ve lost eight of their 10 games under interim coach Ted Nolan, scoring just 15 goals, a pathetic 1.5 a contest.

At their current pace, the 6-22-2 Sabres, who have 48 goals, would finish with the fewest points in the shootout era and score the fewest goals in NHL history.

But talk to ... Read the full article

Brayden McNabb has sat the last four games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres to use new lines against Senators; Brayden McNabb back in lineup

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan wanted to give his lines a long look. The interim Sabres coach figured he couldn’t ask his players for consistency if he kept shuffling the trios.

But after a string of losses and more meager offensive production, Nolan switched up his combinations Monday.

“Our top line is having a little bit of trouble, maybe the chemistry wasn’t quite right,” Nolan said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “We talked to ... Read the full article

Johan Larsson has played one NHL game. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Rookie Johan Larsson ready for Sabres debut

BUFFALO – Johan Larsson isn’t just another prospect. Having been acquired in April’s huge Jason Pominville trade with Minnesota, the 21-year-old center’s one of the Sabres’ most hyped youngsters.

Not many players get traded for a captain and franchise cornerstone.

“They really wanted me, I think,” Larsson, who will make his Sabres debut in tonight’s home opener, said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m just going like they told me, go out and ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers endured a rough 2012-13 season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Tyler Myers hoping to recapture elite form back beside Henrik Tallinder

BUFFALO – Skating beside Tyler Myers again feels natural, almost like “we were never apart,” Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder said.

Their partnership began four years ago, on Oct. 3, 2009, and lasted 88 straight games.

Back then, Tallinder was struggling to regain his confidence, a shell of his old, smooth self. Myers was a slick 19-year-old rookie beginning a Calder Trophy campaign.

The two clicked immediately. Tallinder morphed into a calm, cool veteran again, complimenting ... Read the full article

Ville Leino (left) will be replaced by Johan Larsson. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ville Leino’s cracked rib opens up opportunity for Sabres rookie Johan Larsson

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Ville Leino just can’t stay healthy.

Leino, who played only eight games last season while battling a hip and lung injury, cracked a rib early in Wednesday’s season-opening 2-1 loss in Detroit and is out indefinitely.

The Finn should only miss a couple of weeks, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center.

Leino stayed in the game, skating 12:38. But Rolston said the rib “seized up” overnight.... Read the full article