Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Grigorenko energized by return to Sabres

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko has been playing real hockey games since August. Counting NHL, junior and Team Russia appearances, the 18-year-old Sabres rookie estimates he has skated in 85 contests this season.

Grigorenko insists he’s in “real good shape,” though. Under normal circumstances, a nine-month season would be trying.

“But I always changed places,” Grigorenko, who’s in his second stint with the Sabres, said this morning after practicing inside the First Niagara Center. “All the ... Read the full article

Sabres vow to play for pride following postseason elimination

BUFFALO – With senior advisor Ken Sawyer watching from the stands, a rarity, the Sabres practiced quietly this morning for the first time since Friday’s ugly 8-4 loss to the New York Rangers eliminated them from playoff contention.

Normally, their shootout drills are filled with cheering and hollering as they close sessions. Today, however, almost no one uttered a word.

Three games remain, starting with Monday’s home tilt against the ninth-place Winnipeg Jets, who ... Read the full article

Shellacking from Rangers eliminates Sabres from playoff contention

BUFFALO – Two goals in 57 seconds. The New York Rangers couldn’t score another before the first period ended Friday, right?

The Sabres would buckle down facing elimination. Besides, the Rangers scored on fluky deflections.

Still, the crowd of 19,003 fans inside the First Niagara Center needed to vent.

So the surly spectators gave goalie Ryan Miller a Bronx cheer after he stopped a dump-in as the final seconds ticked down. Miller then nearly whiffed ... Read the full article

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

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

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 10^th-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

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

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

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 10^th-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

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.