Ryan Miller wore his new Olympic mask Monday morning. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller wanted Team USA Olympic mask to resemble old one

BUFFALO – If Ryan Miller’s new Team USA Olympic mask for the upcoming Sochi Games looks familiar, it’s because the Sabres goalie kept the same theme he used in 2010.

“I thought it was a cool mask last time,” Miller told the Times Herald on Sunday. “I just want to update the colors. I want to do something more traditional red, white and blue. Last time it was like a little off blue-gray kind of ... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno has one goal in his last 17 games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno knows consistency must improve

BUFFALO – Marcus Foligno enters tonight’s tilt with just one goal in his last 17 games and six in 49 contests this season. The Sabres winger might even get relegated to the fourth line against the Edmonton Oilers.

Foligno has performed like a top power forward at times during his three-year career, using his 6-foot-3, 223-pound frame to create space and offense. Sabres fans remember his rollicking introduction to the NHL late in 2011-12. But ... Read the full article

Ville Leino will sit tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Ville Leino and Chad Ruhwedel to sit against Oilers

BUFFALO – In Ville Leino’s defense, Ted Nolan said, the Sabres winger “has played in spurts, hit a couple goalposts.”

“He’s just missing here and just missing there,” the interim coach said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “When those things just keep missing, you look at the overall picture that he’s not playing well at all. But, truth is, he has played in spurts. It just didn’t click in.”

Leino has zero goals ... Read the full article

Linus Omark played 66 games with Edmonton. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Linus Omark looking to break out against Oilers

BUFFALO – So far, 11 games into his Sabres career, Linus Omark has been a colossal disappointment, compiling zero goals, two assists and seven healthy scratches for the NHL’s worst team.

But the slick winger will return tonight against the Edmonton Oilers, his old team, after sitting the last three games. The Swede might even skate on the top line.

Clearly, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan hopes a visit from the Oilers ignites Omark, who ... Read the full article

Drew Stafford (right) celebrates his go-ahead goal Thursday with Christian Ehrhoff. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres score 4 goals again, beat Bruins for second straight regulation win

BUFFALO – Break ‘em up. Not only have the Sabres won consecutive games in regulation for the first time all season, they’ve scored eight goals while wowing crowds again inside a lively First Niagara Center.

The Sabres had eight goals in their previous seven games before starting this mini-streak.

Thursday’s 4-2 triumph versus the Boston Bruins might’ve been the best of their nine victories this trying season.

Against the class of the Eastern Conference, Drew ... Read the full article

Pat LaFontaine is acting as general manager while he searches for one. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres acquire Linus Omark from Oilers for draft pick

BUFFALO – The Sabres tonight acquired winger Linus Omark from the Edmonton Oilers for a conditional sixth-round draft pick in 2014.

The flashy 26-year-old has eight goals, 30 points and 34 penalty minutes in 88 NHL contests.

The pick, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, is based on the number of NHL games the Swede plays.

The Oilers drafted Omark 97th overall in 2007. He played last season in Switzerland before returning to North America.... Read the full article