Montreal Canadiens - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Ruff insists Sabres haven’t become stale

BUFFALO – Like it or not, the Sabres have a stale perception around the NHL.

Coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Darcy Regier have been together more than 15 years without winning a Stanley Cup. Right now, after losing seven of eight, they’re barreling toward a second straight season out of the playoffs. They’ve missed the postseason six times in 10 seasons with much of the same personnel.

So, Lindy, are things getting stale? Would ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ehrhoff plans to return tonight

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ banged-up defense corps should be getting their best player back tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.

Christian Ehrhoff, sidelined by a muscle strain Tuesday, skated this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

“I took the whole skate and I’m ready to go tonight,” Ehrhoff said afterward.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff wouldn’t pronounce Ehrhoff fully ready yet, however.

“He’s going to take warm-up tonight and we’ll see where he’s at,” Ruff said. “Early ... Read the full article

Last-place Sabres trying to dig out of early-season hole

BUFFALO – Everything’s becoming ugly very quickly for the reeling Sabres, whose season is already on the brink of collapsing after losing three straight contests and seven of the last eight.

Three wins and seven points through 10 games have them mired in last place in the Northeast Division and 14^th in the Eastern Conference following Tuesday’s 4-3 defeat in Ottawa, a game they nearly roared back and tied.

Incredibly, depending how some other ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kaleta nearing return following scary neck injury

BUFFALO – If Sabres agitator Patrick Kaleta has his way, he’ll return to the lineup tonight against the Montreal Canadiens

Forget that the winger left the First Niagara Center on a stretcher last Tuesday after injuring his neck and spent the night in the hospital. Forget that he’s only been through one non-contact practice. Forget that coach Lindy Ruff wasn’t sure if the 26-year-old has even been cleared to play yet.

“I’m available whenever ... Read the full article

Miller’s shutout over Habs has Sabres sniffing playoff spot

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ shocking resurgence – one that’s vaulted them from the Eastern Conference basement to a points tie with eighth-place Washington in 33 days – can be attributed to several factors.

The banged-up defense corps has stayed healthy and locked down. Several slumping stars have started scoring again, giving the team a secondary scoring attack. A few youngsters have contributed immediately upon their arrival from Rochester.

Most notably, though, Ryan Miller began playing ... Read the full article

First NHL recall ‘best thing’ Sabres rookie Turnbull has ever heard

BUFFALO – Travis Turnbull said he never stopped believing he’d crack the NHL someday. Still, the odds looked stacked against the undrafted center. The Sabres possess a slew of talented youngsters and high-priced veterans in Rochester.

The 25-year-old Turnbull’s name has rarely popped up as a prospect since he was inked out of the University of Michigan in 2009.

The Sabres had already summoned six forwards from the AHL this season when Turnbull’s phone rang ... Read the full article

Scorching Sabres rookie Foligno off to historic start

BUFFALO – NHL success can be fleeting, especially for 20-year-olds thrown headfirst into a ferocious postseason race. Today’s hero can quickly become overwhelmed the next day.

With five goals and seven points just six games into his career, winger Marcus Foligno’s already enjoying one of the greatest rookie stretches in the Sabres’ 41-year history.

Only Phil Housley (nine points, 1982-83) and Ray Sheppard (seven, 1987-88) have tallied seven or more points in their first six ... Read the full article

Myers’ return from suspension has Sabres’ blue line stacked

BUFFALO – With star defenseman Tyler Myers banished three games for hitting Montreal’s Scott Gomez into the boards from behind, the Sabres went 1-0-2, earning four of a possible six points.

Now, with his full fleet of defensemen back for tonight’s tilt against the Montreal Canadiens at the First Niagara Center, what does Sabres coach Lindy Ruff do?

“I really think we’re going to keep all seven going,” Ruff said Tuesday.

What does that mean? ... Read the full article

Sabres respond to Canadiens’ late goal, triumph in OT

BUFFALO – Just two months ago, allowing the tying goal with 3.5 seconds left in regulation likely would’ve cooked the Sabres, defenseman Tyler Myers said.

“I would say it would be very tough for our group,” said Myers, whose goal 2:01 into overtime Monday clinched a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, the surging Sabres’ ninth triumph in 12 tries.

Back in January, the Sabres had morphed into a disjointed, ugly mess. They wilted under ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Foligno plans special goal jump to honor father

BUFFALO – Don’t fret, Sabres fans. The Foligno jump is coming. It’ll just have to take place following Marcus Foligno’s second goal.

The top prospect planned to honor his father, popular former Sabres captain Mike Foligno, by leaping into the air to celebrate his first big league score.

Mike jumped after about every one of his 355 goals from 1979-94. Marcus’ brother Nick Foligno, a Senators winger, paid homage once as a rookie in 2007.... Read the full article