Kane - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons scoring goals, finding confidence

BUFFALO – Almost six minutes into the third period Saturday afternoon, Sabres forward Zemgus Girgensons kicked the puck along the boards and quickly headed to the net.

A second later, he knocked down Matt Moulson’s shot in front, skated across the crease and swept a backhander past Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck, the tying goal in the Sabres’ raucous 4-3 come-from-behind victory.

Then Girgensons, normally a calm presence, let loose with an emotional celebration, pumping ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis tests groin injury

BUFFALO – Before Tyler Ennis can return from a groin injury that has sidelined him 27 games, the Sabres must put the shifty winger through difficult practices featuring rough battle drills and bumping from heavy bodies.

Ennis, who underwent surgery Nov. 10, responded well to the arduous session today inside KeyBank Center. So, could the Sabres’ longest-tenured player be close to returning?

“We’re getting close, just need a few more sessions like that,” Ennis said.... Read the full article

Jack Eichel knows Sabres lost precious point

BUFFALO – Considering the Sabres earned three out of four points against two NHL heavyweights, the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, their short road trip was successful, right?

Well, not entirely, according to center Jack Eichel. Yes, they soundly beat the Rangers 4-1 on Tuesday. But they blew a late lead in Thursday’s 4-3 loss, allowing the tying goal with 2:04 left before Patrick Kane scored 56 seconds into overtime.

Eichel doesn’t care ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Marcus Foligno showcasing toughness

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Marcus Foligno has a simple explanation why he fixed his hair at a bizarre time – during a heavyweight scrap against Shawn Thornton, the NHL’s dean of fighters – in Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers.

“Just try to get readjusted and get ready for round two,” a smiling Foligno said Thursday prior to the Sabres’ 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes inside KeyBank Center.

The bout was a ... Read the full article

Torrid stretch puts Sabres’ Rasmus Ristolainen in elite company

BUFFALO – The significance of defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen’s recent exploits shouldn’t be overshadowed by the Sabres’ disappointing season.

In the near future, if Ristolainen becomes an NHL All-Star or garners serious Norris Trophy consideration, remember the torrid run he is enjoying entering tonight’s tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Ristolainen has three goals, two overtime winners and 14 points while averaging a whopping 27 minutes, 41 seconds of ice time over the last ... Read the full article

Sabres’ defense finally getting healthy

BUFFALO – A couple of quick updates from HarborCenter, where the Sabres practiced almost an hour today following a day off:

– Zach Bogosian (knee) and Taylor Fedun (shoulder) practiced today, giving the Sabres eight defensemen for the session.

When they return, the Sabres likely won’t keep eight defenders. They might, however, keep seven.

“We haven’t been at that situation the whole year long,” said coach Dan Bylsma, whose Sabres host the New York Islanders ... Read the full article

Ryan O’Reilly ignites Sabres in comeback win over Kings

BUFFALO – For almost 30 minutes Tuesday, KeyBank Center felt like, well, just about every other Sabres home game this season.

The 18,375 fans barely made a peep as the home team, as it often does, generated little offense and fell behind 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings.

Those goals irked Ryan O’Reilly, especially the first one, a nifty score in which Kings star Anze Kopitar blew by the Sabres center.

“I was just getting ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie William Carrier skating with top talents

BUFFALO – When William Carrier earns ice time flanking center Ryan O’Reilly and a top winger, the Sabres rookie has a straightforward assignment to help his talented linemates.

“He’s just going, head down, bruising the way for those guys to get pucks and play with that puck,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said.

That means goals haven’t been priority for the 6-foot-2, 212-pound Carrier, who has scored just once in his first 17 NHL games.

“That’s ... Read the full article

Sabres change up top lines

BUFFALO – When you rank last in the NHL in goals and are coming off your 12th one-goal outing this season, line changes are expected.

So Sabres coach Dan Bylsma switched the right wingers on his top two lines today, putting Kyle Okposo beside center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart with center Ryan O’Reilly and William Carrier.

“A little shakeup in the line combinations,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said inside HarborCenter.

Expect ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges close to returning from foot fracture

BUFFALO – When practice started this morning, Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges, who was supposed to be sidelined weeks with a non-displaced fracture in his left foot, was skating with his teammates.

Incredibly, Gorges, who has missed three games, could play Friday against Washington.

“Testing it out, seeing how it feels,” Gorges said inside KeyBank Center. “When it’s in your boot, it’s not much different than being in your skate. The boot will act to ... Read the full article