Buffalo Sabres

By Greg Wyshynski • First line of this story on the Buffalo Sabres Web site: "Tim Connolly won't play scared." Why would someone who knows it's a stone-cold lock he's going on IR again before the end of the season be scared? [Sabres] • Will Zach Parise and Patrik Elias make the Eastern Conference All-Star Team...

By Greg Wyshynski • Speaking of fights, check out the one-punch wonder from Ruslan Fedotenko of the Pittsburgh Penguins against Colby Armstrong of the Atlanta Thrashers. HockeyFights.com gave Ruslan the rare 100-percent voting victory for this. [YouTube]

By Greg Wyshynski Less than a day after Sweden's Joakim Andersson was accused of biting a Canadian player, Ottawa Senators pest Jarkko Ruutu appears to have acquired a taste for Andrew Peters of the Buffalo Sabres in their game this evening: Buffalo Sports Report is already making with the funny.

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals (7 p.m. EST; TV: CN8, CSN). Hockey is so much better with animosity. The Capitals and Flyers don't get along much, including an interesting bit of back and forth between the coaches today. Japers has the preview for your review.

By Greg Wyshynski • Jason Pominville of the Buffalo Sabres discusses his love of blogging, which includes working with an assistant and her loose-leaf notebook of ideas and information. Judging from the screen cap below, we formally challenge Pomer to a blog-off. "Thinki" about it, won't you? [Sabres vid...

By Greg Wyshynski • The Los Angeles Kings have shown so much promise this season that Matt from Life in Hockeywood has declared that their winning the Stanley Cup this season no longer matters to him: "The only hardware I want to see in the hands of a Kings player this season is the Calder Memorial Trophy. The Ca...

By Ross McKeon No. 2 star, Dwayne Roloson, Edmonton Oilers: The veteran Oilers' goalie was almost a one-man show for the hosts, stopping 38 shots as Edmonton beat Dallas 4-1. The Stars, who outshot the Oilers 39-19, went 0-for-5 on the power play as Roloson was on top of his game.

By Greg Wyshynski The first two editions of the NHL's Winter Classic are, in the context of the League's many missteps, close to perfection: The Pittsburgh Penguins and Sidney Crosby facing the Buffalo Sabres in a picturesque snow globe that attracted a huge television audience; and then the Detroit Red...

By Greg Wyshynski Honorable Mention: Jose Theodore (31 saves) and the Washington Capitals overcame some bad history in the HSBC Arena to defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 4-2. ... Stick-tap to Chris Bourque of the Caps and Ottawa's Brian Lee for their first NHL goals. ... Maxim Lapierre scored the winning goal in the shoo...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Atlanta Thrashers at Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: TSN). Curtis Joseph begins his swan song two-game stint between the pipes for the Leafs. Preview: New Jersey Devils at St. Louis Blues (8 p.m. EST; TV: VS). Seriously, Versus?

By Greg Wyshynski Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller played his part in the historic Winter Classic at Ralph Wilson Stadium earlier this year, becoming both the first NHL goalie to lose in an outdoor shootout (to Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, no less) and the first keeper to utter the words "Yo-...

By Greg Wyshynski At 2-1 in the third period and with the Sabres stealing the momentum, Ovechkin took the puck in the defensive zone, motored past two Buffalo players and then undressed Henrik Tallinder -- all before sliding the puck and himself past goalie Patrick Lalime for what would be the game-winnin...

By Greg Wyshynski When we bugged the NHL about how Winter Classic jerseys for the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings were selling, we also inquired about sale figures for this year's crop of third jerseys. There are 18 teams with alternate sweaters this season, and all of them were on sale in time for th...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: SUN, FSPI). Ryan Whitney returns to the lineup for the Penguins. It's about time we get to see the power of that fully armed and operational battle station called the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m. EST; TV: LTV). The Leafs are looking for their fifth win in six games. They'll have 22-year-old conundrum Justin Pogge in the crease, taking his .890 save percentage in the AHL up to the show. Kari Lehtonen should be in the net for the Thras...

By Greg Wyshynski Maxim Afinogenov has one goal and nine assists in 29 games for the Buffalo Sabres, putting him on pace for ... well, put it this way: Andrew Peters is only one goal behind him on the season, with eight games in hand. Is there at least a minimal chance that you will sign a new contract with the Sabres?

By Greg Wyshynski • The Buffalo Sabres will host a "Roaring Twenties Speakeasy Party" for charity in February. As usual, no one knows if Maxim Afinogenov will show up. [Sabres] • It's DC vs. Philly weekend, and Bruce Boudreau said there's "not a lot of like" between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphi...

By Greg Wyshynski • Big-time fun from Stanley Cup of Chowder: a game of "spot the Whale" as the Boston Bruins face the Carolina Hurricanes this weekend. [SCoC] • Maxim Afinogenov of the Buffalo Sabres can make fans swoon with pretty moves before failing to deliver anything substantial. It's official: He's t...

By Greg Wyshynski • The hell? Carolina Hurricanes forward Dan LaCouture has reportedly abandoned his team for the KHL. [TSN] • Once again, the Ottawa Senators will break up the Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson line in order to juice their moribund secondary scoring. Desperation, thy name i...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m. EST; TV: MSG, Yahoo! Sports).  Rookie forward Nathan Gerbe is out about two weeks with the dreaded "upper body injury" for the Sabres. Scott Clemmensen gets the call tonight for the Devils after losing in a shootout to the Leafs last night. Th...

By Greg Wyshynski • The new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins will be called the Consol Energy Center. The Xcel Energy Center is not amused. [NHL] • Buffalo Sabres defenseman Craig Rivet is out two weeks with being a Buffalo Sabres player an injured shoulder. [Buffalo News]

By Ross McKeon By the looks of Simeon Varlamov's NHL debut Saturday night, it doesn't look like the Capitals will have to turn to their web editor for insurance in goal. Varlamov had a night he and his teammates never will forget, 24 hours after arriving midway through the first period Friday to relieve em...

By Greg Wyshynski Honorable Mention: Rookie Fabian Brunnstrom avoided a Nicklas Lidstrom poke-check and beat Ty Conklin for what would be the game-winning goal in the Dallas Stars' 3-1 upset of the visiting Detroit Red Wings. Marty Turco had 37 saves in a strong effort. ... Ryan Miller blamed bad ice for Ian Whi...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Buffalo Sabres (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: RSN, MSG). Or as it's better known, "When the Sabres gouge the Leafs fans with variable pricing." National Post headline: "Finger dipped in ice cream when drafted." You had us at "dipped."

By Greg Wyshynski At last night's Tampa Bay Lightning/Buffalo Sabres game, Former President William Jefferson Clinton was a guest of Sabres owner Thomas Golisano, a supporter of the Clinton Global Initiative. Clinton was a guest in the owner's box along with former tennis great Monica Seles, and addres...

By Greg Wyshynski • Did Roberto Luongo suffer a setback at practice for the Vancouver Canucks? [Vancouver Sun] • Fox Sports Carolina apologizes for cutting into Carolina Hurricanes games with unscheduled commercials during action. [News & Observer]

By Greg Wyshynski The Buffalo Sabres average 15.8 penalty minutes per game. Last night, they had 16 PIM in their win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, their first game after an NHL referee used naughty language and made goalie Ryan Miller hug his security blanket a little tighter at sleepy time.

By Ross McKeon Not only has Johnson stepped up where Jose Theodore has stumbled, but the veteran goalie in addition managed to beat the hottest team in the Eastern Conference. Johnson stopped all but one of 34 shots as the Capitals defended home ice with a 3-1 victory that snapped Boston's five-game winn...

By Greg Wyshynski • Perhaps the single most pointless fan poll in the history of fans or polls: Who is the greatest New Jersey Devils goalie of all-time? C'mon, Peter Sidorkiewicz! [Fire & Ice] • Tom Luongo with a good look at the various controversies surrounding the sale or no-sale of Buffalo Sabres. [...

By Greg Wyshynski • Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis on Mats Sundin: "[Pursuing him] hasn't been a relentless, daily thing for me." He prefers to call it "negotiational stalking." [Vancouver Sun] • Finally, at the risk of running two Scott Hartnell stories back-to-back (stay tuned, please), here's the Ph...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: New York Islanders at Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: MSG, RSN). World are colliding, as Lighthouse Hockey has Pension Plan Puppets provide the Leafs' perspective on tonight's tilt. Including whether we'll see a 197-foot goal tonight.

By Greg Wyshynski • Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray says the team will make the necessary room to sign Mats Sundin. What's the salary cap in their dreams again? [Ottawa Sun] • And there was much joy on the Puck Daddy fantasy team, as Marc-Andre Fleury begins practicing with the Pittsburgh Penguins again. [Pen...

By Ross McKeon Jason Spezza had produced only six points in his previous 14 games, but he broke out of his scoring slump in a big way Saturday afternoon. Spezza notched his second career hat trick, and it was the only three goals the Senators would get or need during a one-goal victory over the visiting Pitt...

By Greg Wyshynski • Clearly, Adrian Dater is just expressing an informed opinion on Mats Sundin. But the Denver Post writer believes the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks are the "clubhouse leaders" for Sundin's services this season, pending cap room. [Denver Post]

By Ross McKeon Dishonorable mention: Buffalo has lost eight of its last 10 games, and a big reason is the Sabres have produced only 19 goals in that time. … Flyers' goalie Martin Biron has allowed three or more goals in six straight games. … The Hurricanes have scored two or fewer goals in 12 of their last 13 ga...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m. EST; TV: MSG, CSP, Yahoo! Sports). Scott Clemmensen gets the call again for the Devils, who will have Brian Rolston and John Madden for the game. Breaking news: Danny Briere is a pouter.

Related articles from FOXSports.com News for Sabres.

By Greg Wyshynski • The San Jose Sharks have 43 points in 25 games, tying the 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens for the best start in NHL history. But is it fair to dismiss that because of the team's legacy of postseason failure? [Two for Elbowing] • The psychological wisdom of Detroit Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock. [S...

By Greg Wyshynski • Vancouver Canucks players wise up, cancel an autograph session that would have charged fans as much as $40 for a signature on a jersey. Rest of the NHL, please take note. [Orland Kurtenblog] • If you could have one Philadelphia Flyers center on your team, who would it be: Jeff Carter, Daniel...

By Greg Wyshynski • You know, there's going to be a young man in an Islanders captain's jersey that's really going to regret his art project if the team ever relocates to Hamilton or Kitchener. • Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin, Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and New York Islanders g...

By Greg Wyshynski UPDATE: Sports Business Journal has opened up its article on the Turnkey Index for Puck Daddy readers; as you can see, the Montreal Canadiens (12th), Buffalo Sabres (13th) and Carolina Hurricanes (20th) have cracked the Top 20 for the NHL. Meanwhiile, only the NBA's Pacers, Nets, Knick...

By Greg Wyshynski From the rumor mill: I think there's an outside chance the Avs might try to get Maxim Afinogenov from the Sabres. I do know for sure they've made some inquiries about him. He's having an awful season in Buffalo and is kind of the Arnie of the Sabres' message boards. But he's got skill, and people w...

By Greg Wyshynski This could have easily have gone to Drew Stafford, who scored two goals and added an assist last night for Buffalo. But Gaustad scored his first two goals of the season in a 4-3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, including the timely game-winner at 16:36 of the third period. His deflection...

By Matt Romig Dishonorable mention: New Jersey's third-period power-play goal could go in the books as a 5-on-1 tally. The Devils had a two-man advantage and two Islanders penalty killers had to discard broken sticks. … A different kind of numbers "advantage" led to St. Louis' overtime goal, as Lee Stem...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Phoenix Coyotes at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. EST; TV: FSAZ, FSS). Eric Staal is in a huge slump (one goal in 12 games), and that has Phoenix Coach Wayne Gretzky on edge. If that's the case, then Carolina must be absolutely petrified of Kyle Turris.

By Greg Wyshynski • Last night it was the Penguins; now, according to the Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey scoreboard, it's the Ducks losing a close one to the Capitals. Uh, glitch? • Boy, when it rains, huh? Mike Fisher and Chris Neil are out with injuries for the Ottawa Senators. [Ottawa Citizen]

By Greg Wyshynski Agreed. But there's some debating Chris's point that "simplicity makes for a killer uniform." The third jerseys that have worked -- the St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres to name two -- certainly have used a simple design or a throwback aesthetic to really shine. And one that hasn't, the Atlan...

By Ross McKeon The veteran goaltender did his part to ruin an otherwise festive night in Montreal. Martin Biron stopped 24 of 25 shots and spearheaded a 4-for-4 Flyers' night on the penalty kill to send the visitors to a 2-1 victory over the same team they dashed from the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring.

By Ross McKeon The free-agent lured from Columbus in the summer was a pillar of defense in helping the Thrashers win a fifth straight game. In addition to blocking two shots and logging a team-high 25:40 of ice time, Hainsey added the second assist on what turned out to be the deciding goal in a 3-2 victory o...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Atlanta Thrashers (7:30 p.m. EST; TV: FSS, Yahoo! Sports). The Thrashers, on a four-game winning streak, try to continue to close in on the division leaders Washington and Carolina. No Kari Lehtonen tonight, however. And why doesn't Atlanta have a captain ye...

By Greg Wyshynski Part of the Northeast's domination in the conference is by default. The injuries to Martin Brodeur, Brian Rolston and now Paul Martin have made the New Jersey Devils ordinary in the Atlantic. Injuries have done the same for the Philadelphia Flyers; the New York Islanders, meanwhile, are w...

By Greg Wyshynski Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo set a new franchise record with a 242-minute, 36-second shutout streak last night; a streak that ended on Paul Stastny's power-play goal in third. Svatos assisted on that tally, and then beat Luongo for the game-clinching shootout goal for the 2-...

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils (7 p.m. EST; TV: MSG). Both teams are coming off losses to the Edmonton Oilers and that goalie with 47 letters in his last name. No Scott Gomez tonight for the Rangers, as he's out with a leg injury. The Devils are starved for offense, so naturally they...

By Greg Wyshynski Chris from Icethetics continues to be a must-read for both puckheads and gear geeks during this Season of 1,000 Third Jerseys. He recently had a peek at the Philadelphia Flyers' new alternate sweaters and another look at the Tampa Bay Lightning's "BOLTS" third jerseys, which actually lo...

By Greg Wyshynski Honorable Mention: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joe Corvo scores the game-winning goal against his former team, as the Canes beat the Ottawa Senators, 2-1. Corvo: "It's just a little extra in the Kool-Aid before the game," Oh yeah? ... Johan Hedberg made 28 saves for the Thrashers, none b...

By Greg Wyshynski When he came to the Dallas Stars, he dropped the 16 for No. 22, as Pat Verbeek was wearing No. 16. He won a Stanley Cup wearing '22,' which was captured forever along with his skate in the crease. With the Detroit Red Wings, Hull won a second Cup wearing No. 17.

By Greg Wyshynski Preview: Phoenix Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. EDT; TV: FSAZ, CSNC). What, no red carpet? The 2-0 Yotes face the winless Blackhawks, as Kevin Allen predicts that the line of Peter Mueller, Olli Jokinen and Shane Doan could be one of the best in the League this season. No matter what h...

By Greg Wyshynski Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Red Wings, C, Round 1/Pick 11) Daniel Briere (Philadelphia Flyers, C, Round 4/Pick 62) Brandon Dubinsky (New York Rangers, C, Round 13/Pick 227) Paul Gaustad (Buffalo Sabres, C, Round 15/Pick 263) Travis Zajac (New Jersey Devils, C, Round 17/Pick 299)