Dan Catenacci has never played an NHL game. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres recall Dan Catenacci from Amerks

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Foligno suffered a lower-body injury during his last shift in Thursday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins and will likely miss tonight’s rematch in Boston, coach Dan Bylsma said.

To replace Foligno, the Sabres recalled forward Dan Catenacci from the Rochester Americans on Friday. Catenacci, 22, could make his NHL debut tonight.

Foligno’s day-to-day, Bylsma said Friday following the Sabres’ optional practice inside HarborCenter.

“I don’t anticipate it will be ... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno (82) was injured Thursday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno likely out against Bruins; Update: Dan Catenacci recalled

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Foligno suffered a lower-body injury during his last shift in Thursday’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins and will likely miss Saturday’s rematch in Boston, coach Dan Bylsma said.

Foligno’s day-to-day, Bylsma said this afternoon following the Sabres’ optional practice inside HarborCenter.

“I don’t anticipate it will be week-to-week,” he said.

The Sabres will recall a forward from the Rochester Americans, Bylsma said. He wouldn’t reveal which one.

Update: The ... Read the full article

Johan Larsson has only two goals this season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres notes: Johan Larsson playing best hockey of season

BUFFALO – Early in the Sabres’ 4-2 comeback win Wednesday in Montreal, for one of the few times this season, center Johan Larsson drove to the net with authority and narrowly missed scoring just his second goal.

With 8:14 left in the contest, the Swede skated to the crease again and was rewarded with his first score in 20 games, the winner against the Canadiens.

For Larsson, 23, it was his best performance in what ... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons struggled offensively earlier this season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons finding offensive game beside Jack Eichel

BUFFALO – Barely a minute into the third period last Tuesday, Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons roared down the left side into the Ottawa zone before stopping and lifting a saucer pass to center Jack Eichel, who was zooming to the net down the middle.

The rookie connected, got stymied by Senators goalie Craig Anderson but managed to tuck the loose puck in for the winner in the Sabres’ 3-2 comeback victory.

The slick score, ... Read the full article

Josh Gorges (4) has been battling an upper-body injury. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Healthy Sabres defense corps presents problem

BUFFALO – In reality, it’s a good problem. With Josh Gorges ready to play, the Sabres have eight healthy defensemen. Given the rough-and-tumble nature of the position, bodies are always at a premium, especially at this time of year.

Still, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma doesn’t like it much. He’s already had to mothball defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who has played one game since Dec. 7. Now someone else must sit.

What will the Sabres do? Could ... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno believes the Sabres can make a late run. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres feel rested, ready for final stretch following break

BUFFALO – Instead of jetting away for a quick vacation during the NHL All-Star break, Dan Bylsma stayed close to home and enjoyed a rare breather from the arduous six-month season. The Sabres coach still watched some AHL games in Rochester, but he mostly relaxed and spent a little time fishing.

After getting “muddied out” of one trip, Bylsma caught 15 steelhead at an undisclosed location.

“We had a very good day of steelhead fishing,” ... Read the full article

Robin Lehner made 42 saves Friday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner sharp in shutout loss to Red Wings

BUFFALO – So far, three games into Robin Lehner’s return, the Swede has looked every bit like the No. 1 the Sabres envisioned when they dished a first-round pick for the unproven goalie.

After missing more than three months, Lehner has performed splendidly, stopping 85 of the 92 shots he has faced, including 42 on Friday in the Sabres’ ugly 3-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

At this point, 48 games and 29 ... Read the full article

Tim Schaller scores his first-period short-handed goal Saturday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres throttle Capitals, end home skid

BUFFALO – Count the Sabres’ exciting 4-1 shellacking of the high-powered Washington Capitals on Saturday as perhaps the most impressive victory felt in these parts in years.

The 29th-ranked Sabres ended a five-game home losing streak while manhandling the league-leading Capitals, who roared into the First Niagara Center having won five straight contests and 14 of the last 16.

This one was never in doubt and had a little bit of everything. First-period ... Read the full article

Marcus Foligno has been a noticeable presence recently. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno and Johan Larsson finally contributing

BUFFALO – For perhaps the first time all season, enigmatic forwards Marcus Foligno and Johan Larsson are playing well at the same time, meaning the Sabres have finally started receiving some notable contributions from their third line.

For the last four games, Foligno, Larsson and captain Brian Gionta have been one of the Sabres’ strongest trios, contributing some much-needed offense and grit while often facing the opposition’s best.

Larsson, the center, skated a season-high 17 ... Read the full article

Dan Bylsma (right) took over the Sabres’ coaching job this season. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres still work in progress halfway through season

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Dan Bylsma noticed almost immediately, way back in September, and it surprised him. Training camp had just started with an overhauled roster – about 10 new faces, in fact – yet his players were already forming close bonds.

“They enjoy being a part of this team and part of this group,” Bylsma said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center. “It has developed. It is a part of what we are. … ... Read the full article