Sabres captain Brian Gionta skates away from the New York Islanders’ Thomas Hickey on Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres pump 43 shots on goal, still lose to Islanders

BUFFALO – Following the Sabres’ 2-1 loss Thursday, center Ryan O’Reilly wasn’t taking any solace in the improved power play they showcased against the New York Islanders.

Sure, the Sabres’ struggling power play got its first goal, an O’Reilly score, in eight games, ending a zero for 24 run. And early on, with rookie center Jack Eichel promoted to the top unit, the Sabres pumped seven shots on goal during their first chance, helping them ... Read the full article

Matt Moulson has struggled all season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Matt Moulson returns from scratch

BUFFALO – Struggling Sabres winger Matt Moulson understands that after going 24 games without scoring a goal – a career-long stretch that dates back to Nov. 1 – sitting out as a healthy scratch Wednesday was probably a good thing.

“I think … maybe (it) was a good time to just get my mind right and make sure I’m playing the way I’m capable of to help this team,” Moulson said Thursday inside the First ... Read the full article

Sabres defenseman Mike Weber (6) hounds New Jersey’s Joseph Blandisi earlier this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres veteran Mike Weber playing regularly, wants to stay

BUFFALO – When you sweat and bleed for an emblem for so long, Sabres defenseman Mike Weber said, it becomes a part of you.

Weber, 28, is the Sabres’ longest-tenured player by two full years. Having debuted Oct. 26, 2007, he has experienced all the highs and lows of the team’s recent tumultuous history.

The Pittsburgh native will proudly tell you he has grown up in the organization and how much he loves Buffalo.

“I ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner has played part of one game this season. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner practices, could play soon

BUFFALO – Robin Lehner still has no firm timeline for his return to NHL game action. Right now, the Sabres goalie just plans to keep practicing, something he did with his teammates Tuesday for the first time since suffering a high right ankle sprain Oct. 8.

Still, Lehner knows he should be back soon, and that’s a good feeling for the Swede, who has played only 32 minutes since Feb. 16, when he suffered a ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner was injured opening night. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner practices, could begin rehab stint soon

BUFFALO – Robin Lehner still has no firm timeline for his return to NHL game action. Right now, the Sabres goalie just plans to keep practicing, something he did with his teammates today for the first time since suffering a high right ankle sprain Oct. 8.

Still, Lehner knows he should be back soon, and that’s a good feeling for the Swede, who has played only 32 minutes since Feb. 16, when he suffered ... Read the full article

Alex Ovechkin scored his 493rd NHL goal Monday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ power play fruitless in loss to Capitals

BUFFALO – At some points this season, the Sabres’ power play was their backbone, generating critical goals when they couldn’t score five-on-five.

But these days, the Sabres are awful on the man advantage. After going scoreless in three opportunities in Monday’s chippy 2-0 loss to the Washington Capitals before a sellout crowd of 19,070 fans inside the First Niagara Center, the Sabres have converted zero of their last 17 chances over the past six games.... Read the full article

Evander Kane played a strong game Monday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Evander Kane professes innocence: ‘I’ve done nothing wrong’

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Evander Kane, the subject of a sex offense investigation by Buffalo police, declared his innocence Monday morning prior to playing in his team’s 2-0 loss to the Washington Capitals.

“There’s not a whole lot I can say,” Kane told a throng of reporters and cameras inside the First Niagara Center. “I just want to say I’ve done nothing wrong. I look forward to clearing my name.”

In a 25-second statement, ... Read the full article

Evander Kane will play tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Evander Kane on allegations: ‘I’ve done nothing wrong’

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Evander Kane, the subject of a sex offense investigation by Buffalo police following an alleged incident at a downtown hotel Sunday morning, said today he has done nothing wrong and looks forward to clearing his name.

Kane, 24, will play tonight against the Washington Capitals and skated this morning with his teammates inside the First Niagara Center. Prior to taking the ice, Kane addressed his teammates with coach Dan Bylsma ... Read the full article

Jack Eichel had a career-high four points Saturday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Jack Eichel learning NHL game

BUFFALO – Coach Dan Bylsma isn’t sure what sparked it. Perhaps it was Jack Eichel’s secondary assist on the first goal Saturday in Boston. Or maybe it was the slick center’s tying score late in the Sabres’ thrilling 6-3 comeback win against the Bruins, the rookie’s first NHL game in his hometown.

Whatever happened, for the first time in a while, Bylsma said, Eichel simply enjoyed playing and “not carrying the weight of having to ... Read the full article

Evander Kane missed practice Sunday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Report: Sabres’ Evander Kane subject of sex offense investigation

Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane is the subject of a sex offense investigation following an alleged incident Sunday morning in a downtown hotel room near the First Niagara Center, according to The Buffalo News.

Kane, 24, hasn’t been charged with a crime. The paper cites three police sources. Read more here.

The Sabres released the following statement: “We take the allegation made today against Evander Kane very seriously. We are gathering facts and have ... Read the full article