Foligno - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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 29^th-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

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

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

Panthers star Jaromir Jagr still feasting on Sabres

BUFFALO – Late Monday, around 10:30 or 11:30 p.m., as many of his Florida Panthers teammates were probably turning in for the night, 43-year-old Jaromir Jagr was allegedly inside the First Niagara Center working out.

“Our cameras caught him,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Tuesday prior to Jagr’s 87^th career appearance against Buffalo, a 5-1 Panthers win in which the Czech scored his 736^th NHL goal.

As Jagr has grown older, his legend ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Robin Lehner and Mark Pysyk to begin rehab assignments

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Robin Lehner and defenseman Mark Pysyk will begin AHL rehab assignments with the Rochester Americans later this week, coach Dan Bylsma said this morning.

The Amerks play three games in three days this weekend, so Lehner might start two of the three. Bylsma also said he would be with the team a week from Wednesday.

Lehner hasn’t played since suffering a high right ankle sprain Oct. 8, opening night. Pysyk, meanwhile, ... Read the full article

Sabres still struggling to score goals

BUFFALO – Just weeks before his 37^th birthday, Sabres captain Brian Gionta owns a coveted spot on the right wing beside slick rookie center Jack Eichel.

At an age when most players are either retired or reduced to supporting roles, the Sabres still lean heavily on Gionta in his 15^th season, skating him more than 18 minutes a game in every situation.

“I feel the overall game is there,” Gionta said Friday ... Read the full article

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’ 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

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

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner progressing, could practice soon

BUFFALO – Almost three months after Robin Lehner suffered a high ankle sprain, there’s some light at the end of the tunnel for the injured Sabres goalie.

Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said this afternoon Lehner, sidelined since Oct. 8, opening night, could return to practice soon.

“We’re looking at him starting a schedule for him to return to practice and possibly down the road return to play,” Bylsma said following practice inside the First ... Read the full article