Miller - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller named to Team USA’s Olympic squad

Not surprisingly, Team USA today named Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller to its Olympic roster for the upcoming Sochi Games.

It’s very likely the 33-year-old, who became a national hero while backstopping the Americans to a silver medal in 2010, will start.

Miller has performed splendidly for the struggling Sabres this trying season, posting a 2.69 goals-against average and .927 save percentage in 28 games despite facing 1,023 shots, the NHL’s second-highest total.

Detroit’s Jimmy ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller to rest, happy with Jhonas Enroth playing regularly

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will take a well-deserved break tonight in Winnipeg, giving way to backup Jhonas Enroth for the 13^th time this season.

Miller, fresh off a career-best 49-save effort in Sunday’s 2-1 shootout triumph against Washington, is fine with sitting. The Sabres, like all NHL teams, have a loaded schedule this Olympic campaign.

Their tilt against the Jets, the start of a two-game road trip, begins a stretch of 19 ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller to rest Tuesday, named NHL’s second star

BUFFALO – After a career-high 49-save performance in Sunday’s 2-1 shootout win against Washington, Sabres goalie Ryan Miller will get a well-deserved night off.

Backup Jhonas Enroth will start Tuesday in Winnipeg, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said today.

“You get a rested Ryan Miller, you’re going to get a better player,” Nolan said inside the Riverside Ice Rink.

Miller’s recent play – 2-0-1 with a 1.55 goals-against average and .961 save percentage – earned ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller dynamic in shootout win against Capitals

BUFFALO – Even after Ryan Miller’s scintillating, career-best 49-save performance in the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout victory against the Washington Capitals, the goalie wouldn’t vouch for a spot on Team USA’s Olympic squad.

“It’s not up to me,” the humble Miller, who also stopped all six Capitals in the shootout, said Sunday inside the First Niagara Center.

The United States’ entry for the upcoming Sochi Games will be named following Wednesday’s Winter Classic outdoor game in ... Read the full article

Sabres to use same lineup against Capitals; Kevin Porter ‘a little sore’

BUFFALO – The Sabres will field the same lineup today against the Washington Capitals, meaning defenseman Alexander Sulzer will sit again.

“To make a change just to make a change doesn’t seem right,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “Defense weren’t on problem last game.”

The Sabres lost a 4-3 shootout Friday in Toronto.

Goalie Ryan Miller will likely start again, Nolan said. The Sabres will “pretty much” ... Read the full article

Sabres get rare score from John Scott, blow 2-goal lead before falling to Leafs in shootout

TORONTO – John Scott’s second career goal came early in his 200^th NHL game, 1,503 days after the hulking Buffalo Sabres tough guy scored his first one.

At 7:53 of first period in Friday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs, Matt Ellis’ rebound trickled to Scott in the slot, and – much to the shock of the 19,405 fans watching – he beat Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier.

“I seem to do ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan wants to give Linus Omark ‘benefit of the doubt’ after weak Sabres debut

TORONTO – Ted Nolan wasn’t too impressed with Linus Omark’s Buffalo Sabres debut in Saturday’s 4-1 loss in Boston.

But the interim coach doesn’t want to judge the flashy winger from one game.

“We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt the first time, jet lagged and getting to a new team and having the flu,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Maple ... Read the full article

Crazy goal clinches Sabres’ exciting OT triumph against Coyotes

BUFFALO – No one could recall seeing a goal quite like Mark Pysyk’s wild overtime winner Monday, a score that will undoubtedly become a highlight-reel staple and earn the Sabres rookie some notoriety.

What are the odds the puck gets stuck in the goalie’s pants and he slides into the net with it?

“Nope, haven’t seen that before,” a surly Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith said after the undermanned Sabres’ exciting 2-1 triumph before an ... Read the full article

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