Toronto Maple Leafs - Buffalo Hockey Beat

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

Sabres’ Ville Leino feeling good about game

BUFFALO – The numbers, of course, are still bad. Fourteen games into his season, Sabres center Ville Leino has zero goals, three assists and just 10 shots.

That’s it.

But Leino, having played 20:19 and 19:23 in the last two games, is beginning to earn interim coach Ted Nolan’s trust.

Leino will pivot newcomer Matt D’Agostini and captain Steve Ott tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

In Wednesday’s 3-1 ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Mikhail Grigorenko, Brayden McNabb to sit against Maple Leafs

So center Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Brayden McNabb will be scratched tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.

Both should play Saturday against the New Jersey Devils, however.

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

Matt D’Agostini ready for any role with Sabres

BUFFALO – Matt D’Agostini had just experienced NHL waivers, what he described as “the most anxious 24 hours of your life.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins, his third team since the beginning of last season, released him Tuesday. The 27-year-old winger could’ve gone to the minors for the first time in four years.

But the hapless Sabres claimed D’Agostini on Wednesday, awarding him perhaps his final NHL chance.

So before D’Agostini spoke to the media Thursday ... Read the full article