Washington Capitals - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres blow another third-period lead, fall to Capitals in shootout

BUFFALO – An agitated Ron Rolston mostly offered short, vague answers to questions about the Sabres’ woes following a 4-3 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday before a capacity crowd of 19,070 fans inside the First Niagara Center.

The reeling Sabres had just blown a 3-1 third-period lead, and the interim coach was in no mood to give any insight into their third straight loss.

A sampling:

Almost 20 games into his tenure, ... Read the full article

Regier: Sabres must listen to ‘anything and everything’ with deadline ahead

BUFFALO – Given their weak standing as Wednesday’s trade deadline approaches, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier.

“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly takes in all of them,” Regier said tonight prior to the Sabres’ tilt against the Washington Capitals inside the First Niagara Center. “I’ll continue to try to figure out ways ... Read the full article

Report: Sabres trade Jordan Leopold to Blues for draft picks

BUFFALO – The Sabres traded defenseman Jordan Leopold to the St. Louis Blues this afternoon for draft picks, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported.

The 32-year-old, who was with Sabres this morning preparing for tonight’s game against the Washington Capitals, will become an unrestricted free agent following the season.

It was believed the Sabres would try to deal him before Wednesday’s trade deadline.

Leopold struggled much of the winter, even sitting as a healthy scratch before an ... Read the full article

Sabres backup goalie Enroth to start tonight against Capitals

BUFFALO – In just over three weeks, Jhonas Enroth has morphed from a seldom-used backup to a strong No. 2 goalie called on regularly to spell starter Ryan Miller.

Since his March 7 start in New Jersey, a 3-2 shootout loss he left early, the 24-year-old is 2-0 while stopping 64 of 67 shots.

The Swede will get another nod tonight against the Washington Capitals inside the First Niagara Center.

“His confidence is a ... Read the full article

Struggling Sabres facing possible make-or-break weekend with trade deadline approaching

BUFFALO – A stone-faced Ryan Miller was in no mood to dissect his team’s season-long struggles. The 13^th-place Sabres still have 14 games left in what has again become a forgettable year. Technically, they’re not finished yet. When and if the time comes, the goalie will breakdown what went wrong.

“We’re trying to figure it out and battle,” Miller said Friday after the Sabres prepared for the Washington Capitals inside the Northtown Center ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Corey Tropp healed and playing again

BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Corey Tropp, thought to be done for the season after suffering ligament damage in his right knee playing for Rochester opening night, made a surprising return to the Americans’ lineup Friday in their 4-1 home loss to the Toronto Marlies.

Tropp damaged the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament Oct. 15 after scoring twice in the Amerks’ 6-5 win over the Syracuse Crunch.

The 23-year-old winger underwent surgery later ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Leino on unsportsmanlike conduct penalty: ‘I crossed the line’

BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ 5-4 shootout loss Thursday in Florida, winger Ville Leino’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty with 40 seconds left in the first period led to the Panthers’ second goal.

When Leino left the penalty box, it was his last time on the ice. Rolston benched him the final 45 minutes.

“We’re a team. We play as a team,” interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Friday inside the Northtown Center. “It’s not about egos. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Rolston sending Kaleta a message with scratch

Patrick Kaleta is seething because he will be scratched tonight. The Angola native, the Buffalo Sabres’ chief agitator, has enjoyed a regular spot in the lineup for years, never sitting unless he’s hurt or suspended (so he does miss a lot of games).

But against the Washington Capitals, the aggressive winger, who’s eligible to return from a five-game boarding suspension, will be benched as a healthy scratch.

“I’m (ticked) off. I want to play,” ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Pysyk from Amerks to replace Sekera

With Andrej Sekera (upper body) out tonight, the Buffalo Sabres have recalled defenseman Mark Pysyk from Rochester. The 21-year-old will make his NHL debut tonight against the Washington Capitals.

Pysyk, the 23^rd overall pick in 2010, has four goals, 18 points, 20 penalty minutes and plus-8 rating in 57 games with the AHL Americans.

The rookie played four years with the Western Hockey League’s Edmonton Oil Kings before turning professional this season.

In summoning ... Read the full article

Struggling Sabres trying to ‘get rid of the pond hockey’ mentality

AMHERST – In about 27 hours, the Buffalo Sabres morphed from a tight five-man unit into a disjointed, ugly mess, performing brutally during consecutive losses to the once-hapless Carolina Hurricanes.

So much for all that optimism the Sabres’ hot 2-0 start had generated just several days ago.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff broke up his lines Saturday and ripped into his team on the Northtown Center ice, at one point barking, “Every freakin’ puck is ... Read the full article