Miller - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ted Nolan considering using Sabres tough guy John Scott at defense

BUFFALO – John Scott, defenseman? Believe it. The Sabres tough guy could be moving from the wing back to his natural position.

Scott will be a game-time decision tonight against the Boston Bruins, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

Update: Scott is scratched tonight.

“We’ve been working with him the last couple days,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll see. Everybody played well last (game). It depends on the mood ... Read the full article

Sabres shake off awful second period, roar back and beat Jets

BUFFALO – Just a few weeks ago, if they had fallen behind after frittering away a strong start, the Sabres would’ve been cooked. Heck, they might’ve gotten run out of their own building.

But the bottom-feeding Sabres have slowly been improving under interim coach Ted Nolan. Their game is cleaner. Their efforts are much better. They’re finally responding to adversity.

Tuesday’s exciting 4-2 victory against the Winnipeg Jets, the Sabres’ first triumph this season when ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan says Mark Pysyk will be back with Sabres soon

BUFFALO – Mark Pysyk’s assignment to Rochester won’t last long, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. The rookie defenseman will be back after the Americans participate in the upcoming Spengler Cup tournament in Switzerland.

Nolan said the solid Pysyk, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, is capable of playing in the NHL right now.

“But is he at the mature level we think he can be? Not yet,” Nolan said this ... Read the full article

Sabres confident offense improving, finally going to start scoring

BUFFALO – In Thursday’s 2-1 loss in Ottawa, Sabres winger Drew Stafford generated three strong scoring chances and a season-high six shots, yet endured his 15^th consecutive goalless game.

The 28-year-old missed the net on a glorious opportunity against a stickless goalie, drew a penalty after zooming to the crease and got stymied on a late breakaway by Craig Anderson with the Sabres down a goal.

No one embodies the Sabres’ scoring struggles more ... Read the full article

Sabres overcome blown call, adversity to beat Senators in shootout

BUFFALO – The best part of the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout win, interim coach Ted Nolan said, came 15:30 into the second period, when officials disallowed what appeared to be his team’s go-ahead goal.

Wait, what? Why would Nolan say that?

The Sabres have crumbled under adversity all season. But on Tuesday, after a delayed penalty possession whistle wiped out Jamie McBain’s score, they kept fighting against the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center.

“It ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino to sit tonight, not sure what Ted Nolan wants from him

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he isn’t down on or losing patience with Sabres center Ville Leino.

So why is the interim coach scratching the Finn, who has zero goals this season, tonight against the Ottawa Senators?

“Certain players with a certain skill set, they have to bring it,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “And if you’re not going to play as well as you can, sometimes it’s better to ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth to start tonight against Canadiens; Brian Flynn back in

MONTREAL – Shortly after he took over the Buffalo Sabres, interim coach Ted Nolan said he wanted to play franchise goalie Ryan Miller as much as he could. Sure enough, backup Jhonas Enroth sat two weeks between starts.

But Enroth’s 23-save performance in the Sabres’ 1-0 overtime loss last Saturday in New Jersey impressed Nolan, who didn’t like the Swede’s first start Nov. 16.

Enroth will start tonight against the Canadiens, a team he’s 3-0 ... Read the full article

Goalie Ryan Miller will judge Sabres on actions, not words

MONTREAL – Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said he’s heard lots of talk about the franchise’s future before.

In less than a year, Miller has gone from backstopping a veteran team built to contend for the Stanley Cup to being the lone bright spot on a rebuilding club already regarded as one of the worst in NHL history.

So the 33-year-old, an unrestricted free agent following the season, wants more than words from the Sabres ... Read the full article

Franchise goalie Ryan Miller wants actions, not words, from Sabres

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said he’s heard lots of talk about the franchise’s future before.

But at this point, months away from becoming an unrestricted free agent, the 33-year-old wants more than words.

“It’s about action at this point,” Miller said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m not going to sit around and let promises get thrown around.”

Miller said he’s had some talks with Pat LaFontaine, the president ... Read the full article

Sabres fall to Rangers, left searching for answers again

BUFFALO – Finally, about seven minutes into the third period Thursday, Cody Hodgson briefly generated some excitement for the 18,088 fans inside the First Niagara Center, slickly undressing Ryan McDonagh before roaring in on a partial breakaway.

But New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist stoned Hodgson, and a second later the center tripped star Rick Nash.

Brad Richards scored on the ensuing power play, building the Rangers’ lead to 2-0.

It was one of those ... Read the full article