Tyler Ennis (left) is known more for scoring than hitting. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis on thunderous hit: ‘No idea that I was coming down’

BUFFALO – Sabres center Tyler Ennis was entering the Washington zone on the forecheck Sunday when he noticed Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov had his head down trying to keep the puck in near the right circle along the boards.

A second later, the 5-foot-9, 169-pound Ennis laid a thunderous hit on Orlov 14:56 into the third period, knocking his helmet off and drawing a roar from the 19,070 fans inside the First Niagara Center.... Read the full article

Ville Leino (23) hasn’t been feeling well. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres to use same lineup against Capitals; Kevin Porter ‘a little sore’

BUFFALO – The Sabres will field the same lineup today against the Washington Capitals, meaning defenseman Alexander Sulzer will sit again.

“To make a change just to make a change doesn’t seem right,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “Defense weren’t on problem last game.”

The Sabres lost a 4-3 shootout Friday in Toronto.

Goalie Ryan Miller will likely start again, Nolan said. The Sabres will “pretty much” ... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons (28) was called an “ox” by linemate Matt Moulson. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rookie Zemgus Girgensons developing into offensive threat

BUFFALO – Sometimes, Sabres winger Matt Moulson said, he forgets Zemgus Girgensons is a still a teenager. Take, for example, the rookie’s brutish assist early in Friday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Toronto.

Girgensons held the puck almost eight seconds, skating from the bottom of the right circle into the left dot. The Maple Leafs’ Peter Holland began hectoring Girgensons behind the net.

Still, he couldn’t knock the 6-foot-2 Latvian winger off the puck. Girgensons skated ... Read the full article

Alex Ovechkin already has 30 goals. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres know stopping Capitals star Alex Ovechkin will be difficult

BUFFALO – In Alex Ovechkin’s world, this might qualify as a slump. The slick Washington Capitals winger hasn’t scored in his last two games.

Whoa!

Ovechkin, who will face the Sabres on Sunday, hasn’t gone three straight contests without a goal all season. The Russian already has 30 goals in 36 appearances.

How do you stop him?

“Those type of players … you don’t try to say they won’t get any chances because they ... Read the full article

Darcy Regier speaks to the media Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Regier says Sabres could trade top assets before deadline

BUFFALO – Given their 12th-place standing with Wednesday’s trade deadline approaching, the Sabres must listen to “anything and everything” available to them, general manager Darcy Regier said Saturday after trading veteran defenseman Jordan Leopold.

Yes, that means Regier could envision himself dealing franchise cornerstones like goalie Ryan Miller and captain Jason Pominville.

“I am listening. I have talked to all 30 GMs over the last, if I say week, it certainly ... Read the full article

Ville Leino, who scored twice Saturday, skates away from Troy Brouwer. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

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

Jordan Leopold signed with the Sabres in July 2010. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

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

Jordan Leopold was with the Sabres this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

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

Jhonas Enroth skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

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

Robyn Regehr acknowledged he has thought about his future with the trade deadline looming. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

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 13th-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