Nolan - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Nikita Zadorov’s overtime goal puts Sabres past Panthers

BUFFALO – For much of the Sabres’ exciting 4-3 overtime victory against the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the young defense tandem of Rasmus Ristolainen, 20, and Nikita Zadorov, 19, struggled badly.

Up 2-0 early in the second period, Ristolainen coughed up the puck and the Panthers scored off of Zadorov’s skate. They tied it minutes later with the youngsters on the ice again.

“You don’t belittle, and you don’t blame them,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Gorges among NHL’s best shot blockers

BUFFALO – Almost five years ago, Sabres defenseman Josh Gorges sold out while killing a penalty with Montreal. Against better judgment, Gorges dropped down to the ice and laid flat in front of a lethal one-timer from Washington’s Mike Green.

The puck hit Gorges in the back of the head, knocking him out cold.

“Scared the hell out of me,” Gorges recalled Saturday prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime win against the Florida Panthers inside ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mike Weber sidelined after knee surgery; Nikita Zadorov won’t join Russia

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Mike Weber underwent minor surgery on his left knee Friday and will be sidelined until just after Christmas, coach Ted Nolan said.

“It’s nothing major, but it’s kind of like a maintenance cleanup for an area he was battling for about three weeks or so,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He could probably go the rest of the year with it, but we thought it was best ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Matt Moulson finally scoring again

BUFFALO – Matt Moulson can’t figure out what exactly caused his awful, career-worst start. Maybe the five-year, $25 million contract the Sabres awarded the high-scoring winger in free agency played in his head. Perhaps the expectations that accompany scoring 30 goals three straight years weighed on him.

Whatever the case, Moulson was downright terrible earlier this season. At one point during his 14-game goal drought, his wife, Alicia, gave him a little pep talk.

“I ... Read the full article

Pride has helped fuel Sabres’ quick turnaround

BUFFALO – Having won eight of the last 11 contests, 29 games into what was once a trying season, the Sabres have quickly become one of the NHL’s hottest teams.

Forget about “the tank” and finishing last for a moment. The rebuilding club has crept to within seven points of last playoff spot.

Pride, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said, has helped fuel the turnaround.

“There’s a room full of guys that have a lot ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson set to return from benching

BUFFALO – As the Sabres warmed up before practice this afternoon, coach Ted Nolan and Cody Hodgson skated around the ice together and talked about the season-long slump that forced the struggling center into the press box Thursday.

What was Nolan’s message to Hodgson, who will play again Saturday? The 24-year-old’s trying to work too hard, and that’s forcing him to do things out of his character.

“You don’t need Cody to be banging bodies,” ... Read the full article

Sabres rally to beat Flames, continue hot streak

BUFFALO – The Sabres have lived oh-so dangerously in their victories this season. Getting outshot by double digits and handling the puck for just a small portion of the game is usually a recipe for disaster.

Somehow, the rebuilding club has managed to find success with opponents controlling most of the play.

Despite getting outshot 45-19, the Sabres won again Thursday, using two third-period goals to rally and beat the Calgary Flames 4-3 before an ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Cody Hodgson could return from benching soon

BUFFALO – Cody Hodgson’s benching likely won’t last long, coach Ted Nolan said. The struggling center is too important to the Sabres’ long-term success. They need the 24-year-old in the lineup to produce offense, something he hasn’t done all season.

Hodgson, the Sabres’ leading scorer a year ago, has one goal, three points and a minus-11 rating in 28 games.

Nolan finally scratched Hodgson for the Sabres’ 4-3 win against the Calgary Flames on ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson to be scratched against Flames

BUFFALO – Struggling center Cody Hodgson, who has one goal and three points in 28 games this season, will be a healthy scratch for the first time in his Sabres career tonight against the Calgary Flames.

“Maybe a game watching will get him out of that funk,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.

Winger Chris Stewart, a scratch last game, will return, Nolan said.

Hodgson has been ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Chris Stewart knows he must be better, still irked over benching

BUFFALO – Struggling Sabres winger Chris Stewart has three goals in 27 games this season, skated less than 10 minutes in each of his last two appearances and recently had his coach accuse him of doing “pirouettes” on the ice.

Still, a seething Stewart said getting scratched for the Sabres’ 1-0 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday was “a big surprise.”

“I’m not happy about it,” Stewart said Wednesday following a long skate. ... Read the full article