Flynn - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Matt Moulson likely out until after Olympic break

An upper-body injury will likely sideline Buffalo Sabres winger Matt Moulson until after the Olympic break, Ted Nolan told reporters this afternoon in Denver.

“He took a pretty good bang last night,” the interim coach said.

Shane Doan’s hit injured Moulson late in the Thursday’s 3-2 win in Phoenix.

The Sabres have four games left before the break, starting with Saturday afternoon’s tilt in Colorado. Nolan said there’s a small chance the 30-year-old could return ... Read the full article

Goalie Ryan Miller plays well against Penguins, Sabres still lose

PITTSBURGH – Despite one win in 15 starts this trying season, it appeared Buffalo Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth would get Monday’s nod inside the Consol Energy Center.

The backup possesses strong career numbers against the mighty Penguins, who give franchise netminder Ryan Miller fits like no other team.

Besides, the Washington Capitals, a team Miller has dominated lately, are visiting the First Niagara Center tonight.

But Ted Nolan doesn’t care about Miller’s awful numbers against ... Read the full article

Phil Varone, family emotional over NHL debut; Sabres fall to Hurricanes

BUFFALO – The voice on the other end of the phone was excited. For a moment, Tony Varone thought his son, Sabres center Phil Varone, had been in a car accident.

“I said, ‘Is everything OK?’” the elder Varone recalled a day later inside the First Niagara Center.

Phil Varone, who nearly shunned the Sabres to play hockey for the University of New Brunswick in 2011, was calling with good news, though.

“He ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Phil Varone set for NHL debut, emotional over first recall

BUFFALO – Phil Varone had no clue why Chadd Cassidy pulled him off the ice Wednesday. The center thought perhaps he had been traded or the Rochester coach just wanted to discuss this weekend’s games.

Nope. Cassidy informed the 23-year-old the Sabres had recalled him.

“When he told me the news, it brought some tears to my eyes,” Varone said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I called my parents right away. It’s ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan doesn’t believe he’s softened since first Sabres stint

BUFFALO – Eighteen years later, the 1995-96 Sabres, a rebuilding club that missed the playoffs, still rank among the most popular teams in franchise history.

That team, Ted Nolan’s first as coach, played hard and fought a lot. The Sabres accumulated 2,195 penalty minutes that season, earning Nolan a reputation as a coach who loved fisticuffs.

These days, however, Nolan’s Sabres hardly fight. They’ve scrapped only eight times since he took over Nov. 13. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers a difference-maker in return from suspension against Leafs

TORONTO – Defenseman Tyler Myers’ absence was glaring during the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 4-3 home loss to Philadelphia. The Buffalo Sabres sorely needed a sturdy presence to calm the game down as the Flyers scored three times.

Myers, who returned from a three-game suspension in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs, had been showcasing a steady, aggressive game prior to his ban.

“I think a lot of that is just bringing a ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller to rest Tuesday, named NHL’s second star

BUFFALO – After a career-high 49-save performance in Sunday’s 2-1 shootout win against Washington, Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will get a well-deserved night off.

Backup Jhonas Enroth will start Tuesday in Winnipeg, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said today.

“You get a rested Ryan Miller, you’re going to get a better player,” Nolan said inside the Riverside Ice Rink.

Miller’s recent play – 2-0-1 with a 1.55 goals-against average and .961 save percentage – earned ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Brian Flynn embracing checking role, showcasing offense

BUFFALO – Brian Flynn, the undersized scorer, still wasn’t ready for NCAA hockey. So following two years of prep school, the Sabres center spent a season playing junior in New Hampshire.

“I scored a lot. But then you realize it’s not all about scoring,” Flynn said Friday inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game in Boston against the Bruins. “I weighed probably 160 pounds. Trying to go to college (at) ... Read the full article

Linus Omark to meet Sabres in Boston; Cody Hodgson possibly out weeks

BUFFALO – Newly acquired winger Linus Omark will meet the Sabres later today in Boston and play Saturday against the Bruins, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

“He’ll take a spot in the lineup,” Nolan said after the Sabres’ brief practice this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m not 100 percent sure exactly where we’ll put him yet. But he’ll play tomorrow night.”

The Sabres dealt a conditional sixth-round draft pick to Edmonton on Thursday ... Read the full article

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