Girgensons - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Johan Larsson questionable for Panthers, recall possible

BUFFALO – Sabres center Johan Larsson “had a little bit of an issue in the morning skate” and is a game-time decision for tonight’s contest against the Florida Panthers, coach Dan Bylsma said.

What if Larsson, who has been recently been pivoting the third line well, can’t play? Well, the Sabres might recall a forward from the AHL, Bylsma said. They could also use seven defensemen, something Bylsma doesn’t like but has done about 30 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Dan Catenacci paid dues to earn first NHL recall

BUFFALO – In his first three AHL seasons, Sabres winger Dan Catenacci has developed what he believes is a strong relationship with his coaches. So the youngster was shocked when Randy Cunneyworth summoned him to his office Friday and the entire Rochester Americans’ staff began berating him.

What was the beef? Something Catenacci called a “nothing play” in the previous game.

“They started yelling at me,” he said Monday following practice inside the First Niagara ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno feeling better; Zemgus Girgensons questionable for Panthers

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Foligno, who said a deep-tissue bruise kept him out of Saturday’s 2-1 overtime loss in Boston, practiced today and could play Tuesday against Florida.

“We’ll see how tomorrow is,” Foligno said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “Right now, it’s just a pain tolerance. That’s all I can really say. Nothing really major, but it was just a (lower-body) tweak.”

Foligno, who said he had a jammed into him ... Read the full article

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

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

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

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons ready to play

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons, out the last four games with an upper-body injury, practiced this morning inside HarborCenter beside center Jack Eichel and Matt Moulson and should play in Monday’s road game against the New York Rangers.

“Pretty back to normal,” said Girgensons, who hit Boston’s Kevan Miller early Jan. 15.

Girgensons, 22, has struggled offensively this season, compiling only three goals and eight points in 40 games. Still, the Latvian, who ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson moves up to scoring line

BUFFALO – Don’t call it a promotion. Winger Matt Moulson hardly earned his spot beside No. 1 center Ryan O’Reilly and Evander Kane for the Sabres’ 3-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. The struggling veteran hasn’t scored since Nov. 1, a stunning 36-game stretch.

With winger Sam Reinhart sidelined about a week with an upper-body injury, the Sabres are down three of their top nine forwards. Limited options forced coach Dan Bylsma ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson moves up; Sam Reinhart out a week

BUFFALO – Matt Moulson’s move up to the wing beside No. 1 center Ryan O’Reilly and Evander Kane is hardly a promotion for the struggling Sabres veteran, who hasn’t scored in 35 straight games entering tonight’s tilt against the Detroit Red Wings

With winger Sam Reinhart sidelined about a week with an upper-body injury, the Sabres are down three of their top nine forwards. Limited options forced coach Dan Bylsma to move Moulson up ... Read the full article

Former Sabres tough guy John Scott an All-Star teammate

BUFFALO – There’s little middle ground when it comes to John Scott, the popular former Sabres tough guy whose election as an NHL All-Star captain has created an embarrassing episode for the league and left an eight-year veteran on an AHL roster in Newfoundland.

The 6-foot-8 Scott, one of the league’s last true enforcers, is a polarizing figure.

In Buffalo, where he played 90 games over two seasons, Scott is still a folk hero ... Read the full article