Brandon Sutter (16) and Christian Ehrhoff could battle again Tuesday in Pittsburgh. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Boston postponement moves Sabres’ road finale to Tuesday

BUFFALO – The NHL tentatively postponed Friday’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins until this afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh tonight has been pushed back to Tuesday.

The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the changes.

It will be determined by 8:30 this morning if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.

The NHL contacted the Sabres early Friday afternoon about potentially moving the game, ... Read the full article

Marc-Andre Fleury and his Pittsburgh teammates will try to play in Boston on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Saturday’s Sabres game in Pittsburgh moved to Tuesday

BUFFALO – Tonight’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins has been tentatively postponed until Saturday afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh that night has been pushed back to Tuesday.

The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the postponement.

The NHL will announce by 8:30 a.m. Saturday if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.

The Sabres are still scheduled to host the New York Rangers tonight ... Read the full article

Drew Stafford skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres facing elimination tonight against Rangers

BUFFALO – If you haven’t noticed, the Sabres received no help Thursday night. The eighth-place New York Rangers, tonight’s opponent, throttled hapless Florida. Ninth-place Winnipeg beat Carolina in overtime.

With 48 points, both clubs lead the 10th-place Sabres by four. A regulation loss tonight eliminates them from postseason contention.

“We just got to win out,” Sabres winger John Scott said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “We got to do what we ... Read the full article

Steve Ott knows the Sabres need help to make the playoffs. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres know a loss to Rangers would likely end playoff hopes

BUFFALO – The Sabres have shattered the widespread belief they would finish a lost season meekly and perhaps contend for a lottery pick instead of making an unlikely run at the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

In dealing captain Jason Pominville and two other respected veterans for draft picks and prospects prior to the April 3 trade deadline, general manager Darcy Regier openly talked about the future and shifting the focus to next season.

The ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek (26) and some teammates wanted to salute Boston fans. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres moved by emotional moments in Boston

BUFFALO – The Sabres first talked about a postgame salute beside the Boston Bruins for fans inside the TD Garden prior to Wednesday’s emotional game, the city’s first major sporting event since the Boston Marathon bombings killed three people and injured 180 on Monday.

Sabres assistant captains Steve Ott, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek spoke with trainer Tim Macre and equipment manager Rip Simonick about a special tribute for the more than 17,000 spectators in ... Read the full article

Steve Ott knows the Sabres need help to make the playoffs. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres will be cheering for Panthers

AMHERST – For one night at least, the Sabres will become huge Florida Panthers fans.

“Absolutely,” winger Steve Ott said following the 10th-place Sabres’ short practice inside the Northtown Center. “We need help. With (teams ahead) having games in hand, we definitely need help.”

The NHL’s worst club faces the eighth-place Rangers tonight in New York, a tilt the Sabres desperately need the Blue Shirts to lose in regulation.

“Any opponent that’s playing ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek talked to Boston captain Zdeno Chara about saluting the crowd. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres planned postgame salute to honor Boston fans

AMHERST – The Buffalo Sabres first talked about a postgame salute beside the Boston Bruins for fans inside the TD Garden prior to Wednesday’s emotional game, the first major sporting event in the city since Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings killed three people and injured 180.

Sabres assistant captains Steve Ott, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek spoke with trainer Tim Macre and equipment manager Rip Simonick about a special tribute for the more than 17,000 fans ... Read the full article

Some key goals from Kevin Porter (12) have helped the Sabres recently. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Third straight win puts Sabres in thick of playoff chase

It’s still a long shot, Sabres fans. But Wednesday’s dramatic 3-2 shootout win in Boston moved the 10th-place club to within two points of the eighth-place New York Rangers for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

Conveniently, the Rangers come to Buffalo on Friday for a must-see showdown.

Show of hands … who thought the Sabres would still be in the postseason picture a week after their wretched 5-1 home loss to ... Read the full article

Nathan Gerbe played three seasons at Boston College. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Emotional Sabres ready to play in Boston

BUFFALO – If Sabres defenseman Chad Ruhwedel hadn’t signed his first NHL contract last week, then the rookie would’ve been watching the Boston Marathon up close on Monday, celebrating Patriots’ Day with friends like he had while attending UMass Lowell.

Ruhwedel knows Boston well and enjoys the city. So does Sabres winger Nathan Gerbe, who spent three years at Boston College.

Naturally, Monday’s terrorist bomb attacks that killed three people near the marathon finish ... Read the full article

Luke Adam played four games with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Amerks receive Adam from Sabres, Catenacci from junior

BUFFALO – The Rochester Americans received two forwards for their playoff push today.

The Sabres sent Luke Adam, a healthy scratch three of the last four contests, back to the Amerks after playing four games, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.

The 22-year-old scored one goal during his first NHL stint in more than a year.

Meanwhile, the Amerks have recalled Daniel Catenacci, the 77th overall pick in 2011, from the Ontario ... Read the full article