Casey Nelson (34) skates away from Pittsburgh’s Patric Hornqvist on March 21. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres notes: Casey Nelson recalled with Taylor Fedun injured

BUFFALO – After suffering a lower-body injury, Sabres defenseman Taylor Fedun stayed on the bench for the rest of Tuesday’s 5-4 overtime loss in Pittsburgh.

“He was trying to work through it,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said Thursday. “He wanted to be a part of the team. It’s good to see him try to gut it out for a little bit.”

Fedun’s injury is so bad it will sideline him six to eight weeks, Housley ... Read the full article

Kyle Criscuolo went undrafted. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Kyle Criscuolo thrilled to earn first NHL recall

BUFFALO – Center Kyle Criscuolo left a pretty good gig to join the Sabres.

The undrafted Harvard product enjoyed a terrific rookie season in 2016-17, scoring 17 goals in the AHL and winning a Calder Cup with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Leaving the Detroit Red Wings organization to sign a two-year contract with the Sabres on July 1 “was really tough,” he said.... Read the full article

Kyle Criscuolo won a Calder Cup last season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall Kyle Criscuolo, Casey Nelson from Amerks

BUFFALO – The struggling Sabres recalled forward Kyle Criscuolo, who has never played in the NHL, and defenseman Casey Nelson from the Rochester Americans this morning.

To make room, the Sabres placed defensemen Taylor Fedun and Matt Tennyson on injured reserve.

The 5-foot-11, 172-pound Criscuolo, 25, has a team-leading 11 points and five goals with the Amerks in 14 games this season. The New Jersey native signed a two-year contract with the Sabres on July ... Read the full article

Sam Reinhart had three points Tuesday. ©2017, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald

Sabres blow late lead, lose to Penguins in OT

PITTSBURGH – Center Jack Eichel said the Sabres played scared to lose. Winger Sam Reinhart said they sat on their lead late. Goalie Robin Lehner said they let the potent Penguins keep attacking them.

The sound bites following Tuesday’s wild 5-4 overtime loss to the Penguins sounded familiar, like throwbacks to last season, when the Sabres often imploded late.

While the Sabres have changed coaches and much of their personnel this season, they haven’t still ... Read the full article

Justin Falk has been playing big minutes. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Justin Falk earning keep on top defense tandem

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres veteran Justin Falk has carved out a solid 229-game NHL career by showcasing a gritty, no-frills style.

The 6-foot-5, 223-pound Falk is a defensive defenseman.

“In this league, I’ve always been pretty conservative as far as where I go on the offensive side and the rush and skating and all that,” Falk said prior to Tuesday’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Penguins inside PPG Paints Arena.

But Sabres coach Phil Housley ... Read the full article

Sidney Crosby has started slowly this season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sidney Crosby, Penguins struggling entering tilt with Sabres

PITTSBURGH – Right now, superstar Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions, look nothing like their normal selves.

Crosby, 30, has scored zero goals in the last 11 games. If the slick center doesn’t score tonight against the Buffalo Sabres, a team he has dominated over the years, it would equal a career-long goal drought.

Incredibly, the most prolific scorer of his generation hasn’t created much, either, mustering only three assists ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel has four goals and 14 points in 17 games this season. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Jack Eichel struggling to meet high expectations

PITTSBURGH – As the one-quarter mark of Jack Eichel’s third NHL season approaches, the Buffalo Sabres center possesses some pretty underwhelming statistics.

Seventeen games into another trying campaign, the slumping Eichel has four goals and 14 points. Over an 82-game season, that equals 19 goals and 68 points.

Those numbers would be fabulous for most NHL players. A Sabre hasn’t compiled 70 points since winger Jason Pominville in 2011-12.... Read the full article

Marco Scandella has been playing big minutes. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Marco Scandella sick; Alexander Nylander practicing with Amerks again

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Marco Scandella is “under the weather” but should play Tuesday in Pittsburgh, coach Phil Housley said.

Scandella, 27, missed today’s practice. With top defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen injured, Scandella has become the Sabres’ top minute-muncher, skating 25 minutes some nights.

The newcomer has zero goals and three assists while averaging 23 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time in 17 outings this season.... Read the full article

Benoit Pouliot has five goals in his last eight games. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Benoit Pouliot to have hearing for illegal check to head

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Benoit Pouliot has a phone hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety today for an illegal check to defenseman Keith Yandle’s head in Friday’s 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Pouliot, one of the Sabres’ top scorers, hit Yandle with 2:15 left in third period, knocking his helmet off. Pouliot wasn’t penalized.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel and Florida’s Aaron Ekblad brace for a collision Friday. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald

Sabres stumble against Panthers, fall into last place

BUFFALO – Friday’s ugly 4-1 loss to the hapless Florida Panthers should erase any belief the Sabres are a better team than their meager record indicates.

The loss, the Sabres’ 11th in 16 tries (5-9-2), dropped them below the Panthers into last place in the 16-team Eastern Conference, a spot they have occupied regularly for years.... Read the full article