New York Rangers - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Reports: Rangers receive permission to talk with ex-Sabres coach Lindy Ruff

BUFFALO – The New York Rangers have received permission to talk with former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff about their vacancy, according to ESPN.com and “Hockey Night in Canada” analyst Glenn Healy.

Ruff, arguably the best veteran coach on the market, recently spoke to Dallas and also talked with Tampa Bay shortly after his Feb. 20 firing after more than 15 years leading the Sabres.

The Sabres technically possess Ruff’s “rights” since they’re still paying ... Read the full article

Shellacking from Rangers eliminates Sabres from playoff contention

BUFFALO – Two goals in 57 seconds. The New York Rangers couldn’t score another before the first period ended Friday, right?

The Sabres would buckle down facing elimination. Besides, the Rangers scored on fluky deflections.

Still, the crowd of 19,003 fans inside the First Niagara Center needed to vent.

So the surly spectators gave goalie Ryan Miller a Bronx cheer after he stopped a dump-in as the final seconds ticked down. Miller then nearly whiffed ... Read the full article

Boston postponement moves Sabres’ road finale to Tuesday

BUFFALO – The NHL tentatively postponed Friday’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins until this afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh tonight has been pushed back to Tuesday.

The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the changes.

It will be determined by 8:30 this morning if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.

The NHL contacted the Sabres early Friday afternoon about potentially moving the game, ... Read the full article

Saturday’s Sabres game in Pittsburgh moved to Tuesday

BUFFALO – Tonight’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins has been tentatively postponed until Saturday afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh that night has been pushed back to Tuesday.

The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the postponement.

The NHL will announce by 8:30 a.m. Saturday if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.

The Sabres are still scheduled to host the New York Rangers tonight ... Read the full article

Sabres facing elimination tonight against Rangers

BUFFALO – If you haven’t noticed, the Sabres received no help Thursday night. The eighth-place New York Rangers, tonight’s opponent, throttled hapless Florida. Ninth-place Winnipeg beat Carolina in overtime.

With 48 points, both clubs lead the 10^th-place Sabres by four. A regulation loss tonight eliminates them from postseason contention.

“We just got to win out,” Sabres winger John Scott said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “We got to do what we ... Read the full article

Sabres know a loss to Rangers would likely end playoff hopes

BUFFALO – The Sabres have shattered the widespread belief they would finish a lost season meekly and perhaps contend for a lottery pick instead of making an unlikely run at the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

In dealing captain Jason Pominville and two other respected veterans for draft picks and prospects prior to the April 3 trade deadline, general manager Darcy Regier openly talked about the future and shifting the focus to next season.

The ... Read the full article

Sabres will be cheering for Panthers

AMHERST – For one night at least, the Sabres will become huge Florida Panthers fans.

“Absolutely,” winger Steve Ott said following the 10^th-place Sabres’ short practice inside the Northtown Center. “We need help. With (teams ahead) having games in hand, we definitely need help.”

The NHL’s worst club faces the eighth-place Rangers tonight in New York, a tilt the Sabres desperately need the Blue Shirts to lose in regulation.

“Any opponent that’s playing ... Read the full article

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