Alexander Sulzer skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Scott back in lineup against Bruins as Sulzer sits again

BUFFALO – The 15th-place Sabres will make one lineup change for tonight’s tilt against the Boston Bruins inside the First Niagara Center, inserting tough guy John Scott for Cody McCormick up front.

Scott sat Tuesday’s 2-0 loss in Ottawa, his first healthy scratch this season. The enforcer had a memorable knockout of the Bruins’ Shawn Thornton on Jan. 31.

Meanwhile, defensemen T.J. Brennan and Alexander Sulzer will sit again as healthy scratches.

Sulzer, ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff tried to accept responsibility Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ruff ready to ‘clean up’ struggling Sabres: ‘It’s on me’

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff’s mood belied his team’s plight. The Sabres coach was smiling and brimming with energy during a frank nine-minute chat with the media Thursday following a 70-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center.

“It is on me,” Ruff said about the challenge of fixing the Sabres’ poor 5-8-1 record, which has them mired in 15th place in the Eastern Conference. “I understand that. I understand this is on me to clean it ... Read the full article

Drew Stafford hasn’t scored yet this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ruff trying to keep struggling Stafford ‘in the right place’

BUFFALO – It was an epic miss magnified by his 14-game, season-long goal drought. On a three-on-two break during Tuesday’s 2-0 loss in Ottawa, struggling Sabres winger Drew Stafford misfired on a one-timer with a yawning net ahead, blowing a glorious chance to end his slump.

“I think everyone saw the highlight of him missing, just heeling what would’ve been a wide-open one-timer you’d almost think was right in the wheelhouse,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff was in a good mood this afternoon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ruff on cleaning up Sabres’ poor start: ‘It’s on me’

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff’s mood belied his team’s plight. The Sabres coach was smiling and brimming with energy during a frank nine-minute chat with the media this afternoon following a 70-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center.

No one would’ve known the Sabres are 5-8-1 and mired in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

“It is on me,” Ruff said about the challenge of cleaning up the Sabres’ poor start. “I understand that. I ... Read the full article

Jason Pominville suffered a slice tendon during the 2011 postseason. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres captain Pominville narrowly escaped severe Achilles injury in 2011

The word out of Pittsburgh tonight is grim. Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson, the reigning Norris Trophy winner and one of the NHL’s most dynamic and exciting talents, suffered a lacerated Achilles tendon when Matt Cooke’s skate sliced his leg. Karlsson’s season is likely over.

Almost two years ago, James van Riemsdyk’s skate cut Sabres captain Jason Pominville in Philadelphia, slicing a tendon. The winger’s Achilles was spared, however. Still, Pominville endured a long rehab.

Here’s ... Read the full article

Fans will have more opportunities to see Cody Hodgson and Jordan Leopold up close. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

New ‘Sabres Standby’ program will offer more tickets to public

BUFFALO – Beginning with Friday’s game against Boston, fans can purchase last-minute tickets to Sabres contests at the First Niagara Center through the new “Sabres Standby” program, the team announced today.

Fans can sign up to be part of a queue of potential ticket-buyers at sabres.com/standby starting at 7 p.m. tonight and be eligible to purchase from a limited quantity of tickets.

The NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement requires each team to reserve an increased ... Read the full article

Tim Kennedy played regularly in the NHL in 2009-10. ©2013, Janet Schultz, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabre Kennedy back in NHL with Sharks

South Buffalo native and former Sabres forward Tim Kennedy returned to the NHL on Tuesday, skating 15:33 in the San Jose Sharks’ 1-0 overtime loss in Nashville.

Kennedy had been dominating the AHL, compiling 13 goals and 37 points in 37 games with Worchester.

The 26-year-old last played in the big leagues on Jan. 5, 2012 with the Florida Panthers.

Kennedy’s NHL career famously derailed in August 2010 when the Sabres walked away from a ... Read the full article

This season hasn’t been easy for Lindy Ruff. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres possess slew of underachievers in disappointing season

BUFFALO – On the surface, it sounds like a dynamic early-season combination. Goalie Ryan Miller locked in, on top of his game. Twenty-two goals and 49 points from the Sabres’ top line, highlighted by 11 scores and 23 points from superstar Thomas Vanek.

Well, it’s added up to a 5-7-1 record, 11 points and a last-place Northeast Division standing entering tonight’s tilt in Ottawa against the Senators.

The defense, the Sabres’ supposed strength, is ... Read the full article

Matt Ellis hasn’t played in the AHL since 2010-11. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ellis with Amerks after clearing waivers

BUFFALO – Matt Ellis cleared waivers Monday and will report to the Rochester Americans, his first AHL stint since serving as the Portland Pirates’ captain in 2010-11.

The respected 31-year-old forward, a veteran of 267 NHL games, played six pointless contests with the Sabres this season and was scratched six times.

The Sabres waived him Sunday to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster.

“He plays the game with a lot of ... Read the full article

Matt Ellis has extensive AHL experience. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Ellis clears waivers, will go to Amerks

BUFFALO – Matt Ellis cleared waivers this afternoon, TSN reported.

The forward will report to the Rochester Americans, his first AHL stint since serving as the Portland Pirates’ captain in 2010-11.

The 31-year-old, a veteran of 267 NHL games, played six contests with the Sabres this season and was scratched six times.

The Sabres waived him Sunday to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster.

Ellis has 81 goals and 188 points ... Read the full article