Steve Ott said he wanted to "earn" his Sabres jersey. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Not surprisingly, Steve Ott jelled with his new Sabres teammates immediately after nine seasons with the Dallas Stars. Having Mike Weber, a friend so close he calls him a brother, helped the transition. And Ott’s infectious personality would probably make the 30-year-old fit in quickly anywhere.
Still, back in January, Ott felt a bit like an outsider. In his mind, he had to earn his Sabres jersey following the offseason trade. The versatile winger felt he hadn’t proven anything …
Kyle Turris beats Ryan Miller with the game-winning goal at 3:54 of overtime Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The Sabres haven’t been able to buck the disturbing trend this season. Their second periods are terrible. During the opening 20 minutes Saturday afternoon inside the First Niagara Center, they dominated the Ottawa Senators, giving themselves a 2-0 lead after one period for the first time all year.
Then, halfway through the second period, the game was tied. The Senators grabbed their first lead at the 18:57 mark.
Incredibly, the Sabres have allowed 37 second-period goals during this forgettable campaign. …
Ville Leino played his first game since April 7 on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Ron Rolston wasted no time, throwing Ville Leino right into the fire Saturday afternoon, the winger’s first game since April 7.
The Sabres’ interim coach put Leino, sidelined by a hip injury the first 27 games this season, out for the opening faceoff inside the First Niagara Center.
“It was good for me,” Leino said about starting the game after the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators. “It made me feel comfortable. Sometimes you want to have a …
Tyler Ennis left Sunday's game early. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Tyler Ennis, whose face was crunched into the boards by Wayne Simmonds 15:48 into the Sabres’ 3-2 loss Sunday in Philadelphia, missed practice Monday and is day-to-day, interim coach Ron Rolston said.
“He’s a little dinged up,” Rolston said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the New York Rangers inside the First Niagara Center.
Ennis, who left the game, didn’t suffer a concussion, Rolston said. The slick center received some stitches on his forehead.
What about the hit? Simmonds …
Tyler Ennis received stitches after getting hit Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Tyler Ennis, whose face was crunched into the boards by Wayne Simmonds 15:48 into the Sabres’ 3-2 loss Sunday in Philadelphia, missed practice today and is day-to-day, interim coach Ron Rolston said.
“He’s a little dinged up,” Rolston said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
Ennis, who left the game, didn’t suffer a concussion, Rolston said. The slick center received some stitches on his forehead.
What about the hit? Simmonds nailed Ennis from behind but wasn’t penalized.
“It was a tough …
Tyler Ennis was hurt Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Center Tyler Ennis, whose face was crunched into the boards by Wayne Simmonds 15:48 into the Sabres’ 3-2 loss Sunday in Philadelphia, isn’t practicing this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
Ennis left the game and received stitches, interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
Sabres defenseman Mike Weber quickly fought Simmonds.
Ryan Miller was angry following the Sabres' fourth straight loss. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Nothing has changed. The Sabres are still a mess, perhaps the NHL’s worst team. Since firing Lindy Ruff on Wednesday and naming Ron Rolston interim coach, they’ve lost both games and scored one goal.
The disenchanted crowd inside the First Niagara Center booed and moaned Saturday throughout an ugly 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders, just like they did during Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to Winnipeg, Ruff’s final game as coach.
The few thousand fans left inside the First Niagara …
T.J. Brennan returned to the lineup Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – The gaffe gnawed away at Jordan Leopold. His blown coverage on Pascal Dupuis’ late tying goal a day earlier left the struggling Sabres defenseman “upset … the whole day” Monday, he said.
The 32-year-old, a veteran of 602 NHL games, probably felt even worse Tuesday morning.
For Lindy Ruff, leaving Dupuis wide open in the right circle, something Leopold called an “easy read,” was the last straw. The Sabres coach scratched Leopold for the Sabres’ ugly 2-1 loss to the …
Jordan Leopold skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – Jordan Leopold walked into the dressing room following a long skate this morning, began taking off his equipment and noticed a few reporters waiting to chat with him.
The struggling defenseman was the last player off the ice for a reason.
“You guys smell blood or what?” joked Leopold, who will sit as a healthy scratch tonight against the Winnipeg Jets inside the First Niagara Center.
Leopold, a team-worst minus-7, has never been benched during his three seasons here. The 32-year-old …
Sidney Crosby shoots the puck Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times HeraldBUFFALO – No one can quite explain Sidney Crosby’s success against the Sabres. Chalk it up to the 25-year-old being hockey’s most talented superstar. Chalk it up to a bit of luck, too.
Whatever the case, the Pittsburgh Penguins center owns the Sabres.
Crosby registered a goal and three points in Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win inside the First Niagara Center, extending his point streak against the Sabres to 14 games, a span in which he’s compiled eight goals and 23 points.
“I don’t …