New York Rangers - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Third straight win puts Sabres in thick of playoff chase

It’s still a long shot, Sabres fans. But Wednesday’s dramatic 3-2 shootout win in Boston moved the 10^th-place club to within two points of the eighth-place New York Rangers for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

Conveniently, the Rangers come to Buffalo on Friday for a must-see showdown.

Show of hands … who thought the Sabres would still be in the postseason picture a week after their wretched 5-1 home loss to ... Read the full article

Jhonas Enroth, Marcus Foligno help push Sabres past Rangers

BUFFALO – At various points last season, youngsters Jhonas Enroth and Marcus Foligno represented the Sabres’ oh-so-bright future.

Enroth, the rookie goalie that couldn’t lose early on, would someday be the franchise’s regular netminder. Foligno roared into the NHL later in the campaign, instantly becoming a premier power forward.

But they had provided little to the Sabres this lost season prior to their difference-making performances in Tuesday’s 3-1 triumph over the New York Rangers.

Enroth ... Read the full article

Former Sabres goalie Martin Biron thriving as Rangers’ backup

BUFFALO – When the 113-day NHL lockout ended and Martin Biron left his East Aurora home for his backup goaltending gig in New York, the 35-year-old’s wife and four children stayed behind.

With a shortened season, a new house and the school year in full swing, the loquacious former Sabre didn’t want to uproot his family.

For now, Biron’s living alone in New York, an arrangement that has worked out “OK.”

“There’s times I’m sitting ... Read the full article

Rangers’ Brad Richards on Patrick Kaleta hit: ‘It’s over and done with’

BUFFALO – Don’t expect huge fireworks tonight in the wake of Patrick Kaleta’s scary hit from behind on Rangers star Brad Richards last Sunday in New York.

Kaleta’s still on the sidelines, only four contests into his five-game ban. The Rangers may want to punish the Sabres’ agitator when they visit the First Niagara Center again April 19.

Besides, the eighth-place Rangers, a big disappointment this season, need to concentrate on winning a game.

Richards, ... Read the full article

Miller’s sinus infection will give Sabres’ Enroth start tonight; Leopold back in

BUFFALO – A sinus infection will relegate franchise goalie Ryan Miller to backup duty tonight behind Jhonas Enroth against the New York Rangers.

Miller occasionally skips morning skates, so when he wasn’t on the ice today inside the First Niagara Center, it hardly seemed like a big deal.

But interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said following the skate Enroth would start for the second time in three games. The 24-year-old only received three nods in ... Read the full article

Leino looking for chance to show his worth to Sabres

BUFFALO – Last season, in the first year of a six-year, $27 million contract, Ville Leino bombed. For a cool $6 million, the Sabres received eight goals and 25 points in 71 games, paying out $240,000 a point.

The Sabres initially tried converting Leino into a center again, an experiment that failed miserably. Leino was back on the wing after just a few weeks, generating little as a third- or fourth-liner.

Before the season ended, ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ennis ‘dinged up’ from Simmonds hit, not concussed

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis, whose face was crunched into the boards by Wayne Simmonds 15:48 into the Sabres’ 3-2 loss Sunday in Philadelphia, missed practice Monday and is day-to-day, interim coach Ron Rolston said.

“He’s a little dinged up,” Rolston said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the New York Rangers inside the First Niagara Center.

Ennis, who left the game, didn’t suffer a concussion, Rolston said. The slick center received some stitches ... Read the full article

Despite ‘changed’ style, Sabres’ Kaleta banned 5 games for boarding Richards

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta insists he has changed his game over the years, calming his ultra-aggressive style down to become a more complete and responsible player.

Players have noticed, he said. Referees have even lauded the Sabres’ top agitator.

“The referees have came up and said, ‘Hey, we respect what you’ve done so far. As long as you keep showing respect toward us, then we’ll respect you,’” Kaleta told reporters Monday in Raleigh before the ... Read the full article

NHL bans Sabres’ Kaleta 5 games for Richards hit

BUFFALO – The NHL has suspended agitator Patrick Kaleta five games for knocking Rangers star Brad Richards into the boards from behind while killing a penalty in the Sabres’ 3-2 shootout loss Sunday in New York, NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan announced this afternoon.

Kaleta can return to the lineup March 17 in Washington. He will forfeit $76,219.25 in salary

He was assessed a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct at 3:28 of ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Kaleta could get suspended for Richards hit

Agitator Patrick Kaleta could be facing a suspension after knocking Rangers star Brad Richards into the boards from behind while killing a penalty in the Buffalo Sabres’ 3-2 shootout loss Sunday in New York.

Kaleta was assessed a five-minute boarding major and a game misconduct at 3:28 of the third period. Richards grimaced in pain on the ice for a minute or two before skating off.

The Rangers then scored two quick power-play goals to ... Read the full article