Toronto Maple Leafs - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres rally to tie Leafs, earn tough road point in shootout loss

TORONTO – For two straight nights, the Buffalo Sabres stopped playing those drab, low-scoring affairs. Their anemic offense looked first-rate, scoring three goals in consecutive games for only the fourth time this season.

Still, it only translated to a single point they earned in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs before 19,372 fans inside the Air Canada Centre.

To interim coach Ted Nolan, the Sabres fought for a tough road point.

“Third game ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tyler Myers a difference-maker in return from suspension against Leafs

TORONTO – Defenseman Tyler Myers’ absence was glaring during the waning minutes of Tuesday’s 4-3 home loss to Philadelphia. The Buffalo Sabres sorely needed a sturdy presence to calm the game down as the Flyers scored three times.

Myers, who returned from a three-game suspension in Wednesday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs, had been showcasing a steady, aggressive game prior to his ban.

“I think a lot of that is just bringing a ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Drew Stafford and John Scott back in tonight against Leafs; Tyler Myers back from suspension

TORONTO – As promised following Tuesday’s 4-3 home loss to Philadelphia, interim Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan will make lineup moves for tonight’s game against the Maple Leafs inside the Air Canada Centre.

Winger Drew Stafford (upper body) will return from a four-game absence. Tough guy John Scott will play after being a healthy scratch Tuesday.

Nolan said Marcus Foligno was banged up against the Flyers and will sit. The winger’s day-to-day. Winger Linus ... Read the full article

Sabres get rare score from John Scott, blow 2-goal lead before falling to Leafs in shootout

TORONTO – John Scott’s second career goal came early in his 200^th NHL game, 1,503 days after the hulking Buffalo Sabres tough guy scored his first one.

At 7:53 of first period in Friday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs, Matt Ellis’ rebound trickled to Scott in the slot, and – much to the shock of the 19,405 fans watching – he beat Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier.

“I seem to do ... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Linus Omark could be down to final NHL chance

TORONTO – The highlights have millions of views on Youtube.com. In one clip, Linus Omark does a spin-o-rama before a shootout-winning goal. In another, the slick Buffalo Sabres winger slows down and flips the puck over the goalie, almost comically.

But Omark’s flashy skill set hasn’t translated into NHL success yet. The 26-year-old had only eight goals and 30 points in 67 games entering Friday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs inside the Air ... Read the full article

Sabres tough guy John Scott on 200th NHL game: ‘I’ve got a lot of healthy scratches’

TORONTO – What does John Scott’s 200^th NHL game mean to the 6-foot-8 tough guy?

“It means I’ve got 200 in seven years,” Scott said this afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Maple Leafs. “I’ve got a lot of healthy scratches.”

True, Scott has never played more than 51 games in a full season. He’s been a healthy scratch 11 times already this season.... Read the full article

Ted Nolan wants to give Linus Omark ‘benefit of the doubt’ after weak Sabres debut

TORONTO – Ted Nolan wasn’t too impressed with Linus Omark’s Buffalo Sabres debut in Saturday’s 4-1 loss in Boston.

But the interim coach doesn’t want to judge the flashy winger from one game.

“We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt the first time, jet lagged and getting to a new team and having the flu,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Maple ... Read the full article

Sabres fondly recall world junior championship memories

TORONTO – Five years ago, Buffalo Sabres center Tyler Ennis figured he had a good chance to earn a coveted spot on Team Canada’s world junior championship squad.

The 24-year-old was one of his country’s most electrifying junior talents, a first-round draft pick in the midst of a dynamic 43-goal, 85-point season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He felt he had enjoyed a strong training camp.

But, Ennis said, “Anything can happen.” Canada always has ... Read the full article

Sabres beat Leafs in overtime, send legions of Toronto fans home unhappy

BUFFALO – It wasn’t a normal postgame NHL salute. Then again, the Sabres’ exciting 3-2 overtime triumph against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday wasn’t a normal game.

Leafs fans, who normally comprise at least half the raucous crowd when Toronto visits the First Niagara Center, outnumbered Sabres fans perhaps three to one in the capacity crowd of 19,070.

They ruled the building, chanting loudly all night.

So when the Sabres skated to center ice ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko and Brayden McNabb should return tonight after healthy scratches

BUFFALO – These aren’t regular healthy scratches. Interim coach Ted Nolan, who’s been charged with evaluating and developing the Sabres’ young lineup, wants some of his prospects to sit occasionally.

So he scratched center Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Brayden McNabb for Friday’s 3-2 overtime win against Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

Both should return tonight in New Jersey against the Devils, however.

“I’m not unhappy,” Nolan said Friday morning about Grigorenko’s play. ... Read the full article