Stewart - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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’ Andrej Meszaros explains weak reply to hit

BUFFALO – At the 14:06 mark of the second period in the Sabres’ 2-1 loss Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets’ Adam Lowry hit winger Patrick Kaleta face-first into the boards, earning a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

As a bloodied Kaleta stayed on his knees behind the net, Sabres defenseman Andrej Meszaros, the closest player to Lowry, watched for a moment. Eventually, he skated over a cross-checked him meekly.

Update: Lowry has been suspended ... 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 could use Patrick Kaleta at center

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta, center? Believe it. It could be happen Wednesday, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

Kaleta, a winger his entire nine-year career, has practiced in the middle the last two days. Nolan said Monday the Sabres could recall a center. For now, however, they are “going to keep the status quo.”

“He’s been waiting to get in,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “So we’ll maybe see how that ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Tyler Ennis’ memories of NHL debut strong 5 years later

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis still remembers every little detail of Nov. 14, 2009, the day the slick Sabres winger made his NHL debut.

When Portland Pirates coach Kevin Dineen told Ennis the Sabres could recall him for a game in Philadelphia that night, the youngster left the rink – “It was like a 30-minute drive,” he said – and went home.

He needed to eat, so he “picked up a quick Subway sandwich.”

Ennis then ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Patrick Kaleta to sit against Leafs; Josh Gorges out ‘a little bit’

BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta’s home season debut will have to wait. Sabres coach Ted Nolan will scratch the winger for tonight’s tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

The Angola native played his first NHL game since Oct. 10, 2013 on Thursday, a 6-3 loss in Minnesota.

Kaleta tore his ACL almost a year ago in the AHL and took a puck to the face Sept. 28. Nolan thinks after playing ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan searching for right Sabres line combinations

BUFFALO – Drew Stafford figured what the heck, he had nothing to lose by offering his services at center. The Sabres winger had played the position in high school.

So Stafford recently told coach Ted Nolan he would move if the reeling Sabres wanted to experiment.

“I wanted to let him know I’m comfortable with whatever he throws at myself or whoever I end up with,” Stafford said Friday inside the First Niagara Center. “I ... Read the full article

Young Sabres Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadorov impressing as tandem

BUFFALO – When you’re struggling and searching for anything to ignite the team, you experiment. So with nothing to lose, Sabres coach Ted Nolan paired Rasmus Ristolainen, 20, and rookie Nikita Zadorov, 19, together last game.

The defensemen became the Sabres’ top tandem in Saturday’s ugly 6-1 loss to Pittsburgh, each skating more than 20 minutes, more than Tyler Myers. Zadorov wasn’t on the ice for any goals against.

“If you look at both ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis switched to wing; Patrick Kaleta has ‘green light’ to return

BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis is often the Sabres’ only offensive threat. So why did coach Ted Nolan switch the speedster from center to right wing beside Zemgus Girgensons and Matt Moulson today?

You try everything when you only have three wins and 18 goals in 16 games. Ennis has a team-high four goals.

“When you run into obstacles, you don’t stop and quit, and you got to find a way to get over around it ... Read the full article