Miller - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Buffalo focused on win following hit on Rasmus Dahlin

BUFFALO – The two-game suspension the NHL laid on Erik Cernak for elbowing Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the face and concussing him seems light.

Cernak, who wasn’t penalized for the hit, can return to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s lineup Saturday. Dahlin, meanwhile, is out indefinitely, the Sabres announced prior to Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames.

“We’re just going to accept the result as it is,” coach Ralph Krueger said inside KeyBank ... Read the full article

Rasmus Dahlin’s concussion another worry for struggling Sabres

BUFFALO – Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin often struggled in the Sabres’ first 24 games this season, looking like a youngster in need of a confidence boost.

Still, Dahlin, who suffered a concussion in Monday’s 5-2 road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning when Erik Cernak elbowed him in the face, is a dynamic talent. The reeling Sabres sorely need him in the lineup.

Update: Dahlin is out indefinitely, according to the Sabres.

The Sabres haven’t given ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: John Gilmour moves up to forward as injury replacement

BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres simply utilized defenseman John Gilmour as a winger for Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Sabres coach Ralph Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards.

The other option likely would’ve been recalling someone from the Rochester Americans. The AHL club, however, only has two healthy forwards on NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres to use John Gilmour up front, scratch Marco Scandella

BUFFALO – In the end, instead of recalling a forward or trading for one, the Sabres will simply utilize defenseman John Gilmour as a winger.

So for the first time since he was 15 or 16, Gilmour will skate up front tonight against the Minnesota Wild. He could also move back to the blue line, Sabres coach Ralph Krueger said.

Krueger, who has five injured forwards, said Monday the Sabres could dress seven defensemen and ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tyler Ennis enjoying life with Senators

BUFFALO – Ten years and four teams later, former Sabres winger Tyler Ennis is still enjoying life in the NHL.

“We got the best job in the world,” Ennis said prior to scoring his 122nd NHL goal in the Ottawa Senators’ 4-2 loss to the Sabres on Saturday inside KeyBank Center.

While stardom eluded Ennis, who made his NHL debut Nov. 14, 2009, he keeps finding work. Teams want the former first-round pick to be ... Read the full article

NHL debut will be emotional for Sabres rookie Rasmus Asplund

BUFFALO – Rasmus Asplund knows it will be difficult to keep his emotions in check today. Not only is the Sabres center set to make his NHL debut, it’s also Hockey Fights Cancer Night at KeyBank Center.

“Cancer is something that’s close to my heart,” Asplund said this morning after the Sabres prepared for the Ottawa Senators.

Both of Asplund’s grandparents on his father’s side passed away from cancer.

“It’s going to be hard,” said ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Marco Scandella’s return makes Colin Miller healthy scratch

BUFFALO – Colin Miller’s stint in the press box likely won’t last long. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Sabres defenseman returns to the lineup Saturday.

But Marco Scandella’s return from a lower-body injury Thursday forced Sabres coach Ralph Krueger to make a tough decision and sit out a regular defenseman.

Miller was the odd man out against for the 5-4 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Right now, the Sabres have eight healthy defensemen. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Johansson to miss at least next three games

BUFFALO – An upper-body injury will sideline Sabres center Marcus Johansson through the weekend, coach Ralph Krueger said this morning.

So in addition to missing tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Johansson will be out Saturday versus the Ottawa Senators and Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“We think it’s better to give him a few days here to rehab so we’re not planning with him for the three games,” Krueger said this morning inside KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Curtis Lazar enjoys short trip to Buffalo

BUFFALO – The 70- or so mile drive from Rochester to KeyBank Center sure beats trying to get from Stockton, Calif., to Calgary. Just ask Sabres winger Curtis Lazar.

When the Flames would recall Lazar, 24, from the Heat, their AHL affiliate about 1,300 miles away, he would have to fly out of the San Francisco airport.

Stockton is about 83 miles from that airport.

Lazar enjoyed a much easier trip to Buffalo on ... Read the full article

Sabres bounce back after dreadful effort, still lose to scorching Islanders

BUFFALO – Sooner or later it had to happen. Slumps are inevitable, and the Sabres, the NHL’s biggest early-season surprise, avoided one for nearly a month.

“You’re not going to go through a whole season without facing adversity,” captain Jack Eichel said following Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the scorching New York Islanders, the Sabres’ third straight setback (0-2-1).

After winning nine of their first 12 games, the Sabres, having dropped four of the last five ... Read the full article