Myers - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres notes: Zemgus Girgensons leading NHL All-Star Game voting

BUFFALO – The No. 1 vote-getter for the 2015 NHL All-Star Game has 15 career goals, hasn’t hit the 100-game mark yet and plays for one of the league’s worst teams.

As of late Monday, Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons led all NHL players in fan voting. If Latvians keep clicking for the 20-year-old, their favorite player will be in Columbus on Jan. 25.

“I just think it’s kind of funny,” Girgensons said Monday inside the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges set to return against Lightning

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges, out the last seven games with a knee injury, will play Tuesday against Tampa Bay, coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon.

The Sabres, winners of five of the last six contests, could have more healthy bodies back, too.

Center Cody McCormick, out the last three games with a possible concussion, has one more hurdle to clear before he can play, Nolan said. McCormick will meet with the doctor ... Read the full article

Sabres captain Brian Gionta ready for return to Montreal

BUFFALO – Sabres captain Brian Gionta doesn’t know what kind of reception to expect from Canadiens fans tonight at the Bell Centre, his first visit to Montreal since a three-year, $12.75 million contract enticed him to sign here.

“I’ll deal with it (tonight),” Gionta said Friday prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 win against the Canadiens inside the First Niagara Center. I’m sure it’ll be weird going into the building. Until you’re back there you really ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ted Nolan relieved to have Tyler Myers back

BUFFALO – How relieved is Sabres coach Ted Nolan to have defenseman Tyler Myers back for tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens?

“Very, very,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “Sometimes you don’t know what you got until it’s taken away from you a little bit. He’s a big part of our team.”

With Myers (lower body) out for Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Winnipeg, his replacement, Andre Benoit, gave away the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ defense slowly improving, still mistake-prone

BUFFALO – Twenty-two games into the season, the Sabres’ weak and often sloppy defense corps has combined for two goals, 20 points and a minus-41 rating entering tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

As evidenced by the Sabres’ recent three-game winning streak, a stretch in which they allowed only four goals, the defense has looked much better – sturdier, you might say – during some contests this month.

Still, it’s a mistake-prone group. And with ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers ’50-50′ for Friday, Josh Gorges getting closer to returning

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ battered defense corps could receive some reinforcements soon.

Tyler Myers, a surprise scratch for Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Winnipeg, is “50-50” for Friday’s home tilt, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon. Myers has a lower-body injury and missed today’s short practice.

Meanwhile, Josh Gorges, out the last five games with a knee injury, practiced fully today and is getting closer to playing. The Sabres play the Montreal Canadiens, Gorges’ ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Chris Stewart finally ends long goal slump

BUFFALO – The question made Chris Stewart pause for a moment.

“I’m searching for the right answer here,” the struggling winger said Wednesday prior to scoring a breakaway goal in the Sabres’ 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets inside the First Niagara Center.

Stewart, a two-time 28-goal scorer, has arguably been the Sabres’ biggest disappointment this season, compiling just two goals and three points in 22 games.

So much for that breakout season.

“It’s not ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta thrilled to play game in Buffalo again

BUFFALO – The 412-day wait to play a home game has been excruciating for Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta, an Angola native.

Since his last appearance here Oct. 10, 2013, the 28-year-old has endured a 10-game suspension, a surprising demotion to the minors, a torn ACL and what was basically a broken face.

Finally, Kaleta will play again tonight at the First Niagara Center. It might be a different experience, too. Kaleta, a winger his entire ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth making strong bid to regain No. 1 job

BUFFALO – Michal Neuvirth, the Sabres’ top goalie before a bruised knee briefly shelved him last week, has already recovered. The Czech has been practicing and appears ready to dress for Wednesday’s game.

But after recently starting six of eight games and seizing the No. 1 job, Neuvirth must wait his turn to play.

The goaltending tide is shifting again.

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth dazzled in Neuvirth’s absence, stopping 62 of the 64 shots ... Read the full article

Sabres have special memories of Pat Quinn; Michal Neuvirth ready to return

BUFFALO – Three Sabres – winger Tyler Ennis, center Cody Hodgson and defenseman Tyler Myers – played for former NHL coach and executive Pat Quinn, an iconic figure who died Sunday at 71 following a long illness.

Quinn coached the players to a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2009 world junior championship in Ottawa.

“He was awesome for us,” Ennis this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Canada hasn’t won gold since, something ... Read the full article