The Sabres return to action on Friday Night when Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins make their final visit to First Niagara Center this season. Game time is 7:30 PM and can be seen on MSG HD.

Last Game:

NY Islanders: Feb 20 at Senators Loss 6-0

Buffalo: Feb 19 vs. Penguins Win 6-2

Record:

NY Islanders: 25-26-8

Buffalo: 25-27-7

Points:

NY Islanders: 58

Buffalo: 57

Rank In Conference:

NY Islanders: 12th

Buffalo: 14th

Power Play Ranking:

NY Islanders: 19.2(T-7^th)

Buffalo: 15.8(21st)

Penalty Kill Ranking:

NY Islanders: 83.1(12^th)

Buffalo: 80.4(24th)

Goals For:

NY Islanders: 135(27^th)

Buffalo: 143(24th)

Goals Against:

NY Islanders: 171(T-21st)

Buffalo: 171(T-21st)

Shots For:

NY Islanders: 1757(T-15^th)

Buffalo: 1710(19^th)

Shots Against:

NY Islanders: 1780(16^th)

Buffalo: 1832(25th)

Blocked Shots:

NY Islanders: 1013(1^st)

Buffalo: 742(T-25th)

Hits:

NY Islanders: 1367(12^th)

Buffalo: 1059(30th)

Faceoff Percentage:

NY Islanders: 47.6(27^th)

Buffalo: 49.7(T-18th)

Team Leaders:

Goals:

NY Islanders: Moulson(25), Tavares(24), Grabner(15), Okposo(13)

Buffalo: Pominville(23), Vanek(21), Roy(13), Stafford and Adam(10)

Assists:

NY Islanders: Parenteau(41), Tavares(34) Streit(28), Moulson(25)

Buffalo: Pominville(34), Vanek(24), Ehrhoff(20), Roy(19)

Points:

NY Islanders: Tavares(58), Parenteau(53), Moulson(50), Streit(33)

Buffalo: Pominville(57), Vanek(45), Roy(32), Stafford(28)

Plus/Minus:

NY Islanders: Moulson(+5), Hamonic(+4), de Haan, Ness, and Ullstrom(+1), Rakhshani, Wishart, and Haley(EV)

Buffalo: Gragnani(+10), Gerbe(+4), Hecht, Ennis, and Gaustad(+1), Szczechura, Whitmore, and Sekera(EV)

Penalty Minutes:

NY Islanders: M. Martin(87), Parenteau(73), Hamonic(57), Staios(43)

Buffalo: Kaleta(86), Gaustad(65), McCormick(49), Vanek(46)

Shots:

NY Islanders: Tavares(216), Moulson(165), Grabner(129), Parenteau(125)

Buffalo: Pominville(167), Stafford(155), Vanek(151), Roy(125)

Blocked Shots:

NY Islanders: A. MacDonald(132), Hamonic(115), Staios(102), Jurcina(91)

Buffalo: Regehr(82), Leopold(76), Sekera(69), Ehrhoff(61)

Hits:

NY Islanders: M. Martin(273), Hamonic(133), Jurcina(123), Niederreiter(87)

Buffalo: Regehr(126), Kaleta(98), Gaustad(93), Weber(78)

Face-Off Wins:

NY Islanders: Tavares(575), Nielsen(391), Bailey(288), Reasoner(200)

Buffalo: Gaustad(466),  Roy(462), Pominville(158), Hecht(136)

Today’s Starting Goaltender Matchup:

NY Islanders: Kevin Poulin 2-3-0 3.29 GAA .896 SV%

Buffalo:  Ryan Miller 17-17-3 2.80 GAA .906 SV% 3 SO

Notes:

Last Meeting: Feb 4 Sabres Won(SO) 4-3

Season Series: Islanders Lead 2-0-1

All-Time: Sabres Lead 72-55-23

All-Time vs. NYI: Sabres Lead 40-23-9

Senators rout Islanders 6-0

Ottawa spent a Monday afternoon matinee against the New York Islanders emphatically answering any questions about the effects of a four-day break.

In fact, the Senators sucked the air out of a hopeful Nassau Coliseum crowd – on hand to see if the Islanders could close the six-point gap between them and the eighth-place Toronto Maple Leafs – before many of them had time to find their seats in a 6-0 rout of the Islanders.

Ottawa led 2-0 after just 1:35 through goals by Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza, sending Isles starter Kevin Poulin to the bench in just 95 seconds. The Senators (31-22-8) wound up getting two goals and two assists from Karlsson, the NHL’s highest-scoring defenseman, and two goals from Spezza.

“Six-to-nothing. That sums it up pretty well,” said Senators coach Paul MacLean when asked about the effects of a four-day break, one that included two complete days off the ice, this late in the season.

“I thought our team was really ready to play. Scoring in the first minutes, getting two goals in the first 90 seconds, was good. It was a good sign of our preparation and our willingness to compete today against a team that we knew was going to be able to skate real well. … We were very pleased with how we started and how we ended.”

The Senators finished with four goals from their defense, as Chris Phillips and Brian Lee also scored to support Craig Anderson’s third shutout of the season. Anderson was rarely tested while stopping 28 shots, but the goalie said his defense deserved much of the credit.

“Allowing me to see the puck, that’s huge,” Anderson said. “When a goalie can see the puck, he’s going to stop most times than not.”

Ottawa improved to 4-0-1 in its last five games and moved within one point of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh in the conference standings. The Senators lead eighth-place Toronto by six points.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020883&navid=sb:recap

Sabres end skid with 6-2 win over Pens

The Buffalo Sabres emphatically put an end to their four-game skid Sunday afternoon.

Derek Roy redirected Jason Pominville’s centering pass through Marc-Andre Fleury’s legs for a shorthanded goal as part of Buffalo’s three-goal third period in securing a 6-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at First Niagara Center.

With the victory, the Sabres snapped a four-game skid (0-3-1) and Roy finished with two goals and an assist to enjoy his best outing in nearly four months.

“Finishing the chances is obviously key,” said Roy, who was staring at an open side only to have Fleury kick out his left pad in preventing the Sabres from building a 3-1 lead with 7:20 left in the second period.

“He made a nice save. But at the same time, you want to finish that and get up three goals and close the game out,” Roy said. “In the third period, I was really mad and I wanted to go out and score a goal.”

It was a breakout performance for Roy, whose 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in three games matched what he had in his previous 20 (3 goals, 2 assists).

Pominville had a goal and two assists, while Paul Gaustad, Drew Stafford and Tyler Ennis also scored in helping Buffalo (25-27-7) move out of a tie with Carolina for last place in the Eastern Conference.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020873&navid=sb:recap

This Day In Sabres History:

February 21, 1974 Sabres Defensemen Tim Horton Dies in Tragic Car Crash

On This Day 38 Years ago the Sabres lost Tim Horton who got in a car crash on the way back from a game in Toronto. The Sabres lost to the Leafs on the 23^rd 4-2 at Maple Leafs Gardens. When Horton was traveling back to Buffalo on the QEW he lost control of his sports car and hit a concrete convert. Horton at the time of impact was going at 100 mph and didn’t have his seatbelt on. As result of the crash Horton was launched from the vehicle. He was dead on arrival at a local hospital on February 24^th. An autopsy report showed that Horton was two time over the legal limit at the time of the Accident. The Sabres would play that same night and come back from a 4-1 deficit to finish with a 4-4 tie. The 73-74 Sabres wouldn’t recover after Horton’s death finishing with a 32-34-12 record and missing the playoffs. The Sabres retired Horton number 2 January 15, 1996.

Injury Report:

NY Islanders: Katic Left Shoulder Surgery(IR/Out), DiPietro Sports Hernia Surgery(IR/Out), Mottau Concussion-Like Symptoms((IR/Out), Hamonic Facial Lacerations/Broken Nose(IR/Out), Reese Sprain Left Knee(IR/Out), Nabokov Flu-Like Symptoms(Questionable)

Buffalo: Hecht Concussion(IR/Out), McCormick Upper Body(Out)

Next 5 Games:

Feb 24 vs. Boston Bruins 7:30 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 25 at New York Rangers 7:00 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 29 at Anaheim Ducks 10:00 PM(MSG HD)

Mar 1 at San Jose Shark 10:30 PM(MSG HD)

Mar 3 at Vancouver Canucks 10:00 PM(MSG HD and CBC HD)

Last Game:
Montreal: Feb 15 vs. Bruins-Canadiens Lost 4-3(SO)

Buffalo: Feb 16 @ Flyers-Sabres Lost 7-2

Record:
Montreal: 23-25-10
Buffalo: 24-27-6

Points:
Montreal: 56
Buffalo: 54

Rank In Conference:
Montreal: 13th
Buffalo: 14th

Power Play Ranking:
Montreal: 13.5(29th)
Buffalo: 16.4(20th)

Penalty Kill Ranking:
Montreal: 88.9(1st)
Buffalo: 80.8(22nd)

Goals For:
Montreal: 153(14th)
Buffalo: 134(26th)

Goals Against:
Montreal: 150(12th)
Buffalo: 166(T-23rd)

Shots For:
Montreal: 1688(17th)
Buffalo: 1656(19th)

Shots Against:
Montreal: 1677(9th)
Buffalo: 1787(26th)

Blocked Shots:
Montreal: 959(2nd)
Buffalo: 723(25th)

Hits:
Montreal: 1269(16th)
Buffalo: 1035(28th)

Faceoff Percentage:
Montreal: 48.7(24th)
Buffalo: 49.5(19th)

Team Leaders:
Goals:
Montreal: Pacioretty(24), Cole(22), Bourque(16), Plekanec, Kostitsyn, Eller(12)
Buffalo: Pominville(22), Vanek(21), Roy(11), Adam(10)

Assists:
Montreal: Desharnais(31), Plekanec(28), Kaberle(23), Cole(22)
Buffalo: Pominville(32), Vanek(23), Stafford, Roy, Ehrhoff(17), Gerbe(15)

Points:
Montreal: Pacioretty and Cole(44), Desharnais(42), Plekanec(40)G
Buffalo: Pominville(54), Vanek(44), Roy(28), Stafford(26)

Plus/Minus:
Montreal: Gorges(+16), Cole and Desharnais(+11), Eller(+5)
Buffalo: Gragnani(+10), Gerbe(+3), Gaustad and Hecht(+1)

Penalty Minutes:
Montreal: Subban(70), Bourque(54), Plekanec(46), Pacioretty(44)
Buffalo: Kaleta(86), Gaustad(65), McCormick(49), Vanek(44), Roy(42)

Shots:
Montreal: Pacioretty(201), Cole(167), Plekanec(159), Subban(143)
Buffalo: Pominville(160), Stafford(150), Vanek(146), Roy(121)

Blocked Shots:
Montreal: Gorges(166), Gill(122), Diaz(91), Subban(83), Emelin(67)
Buffalo: Regehr(81), Leopold(73), Sekera(67), Ehrhoff(59)

Hits:
Montreal: Emelin(172), Cole(141), Gorges(85), Kostitsyn(78)
Buffalo: Regehr(120), Kaleta(95), Gaustad(93), Weber(76)

Face-Off Wins:
Montreal: Plekanec(601), Desharnais(454), Eller(231), Nokelainen(129)
Buffalo: Roy(446), Gaustad(439), Pominville(155), Hecht(136)

Today’s Starting Goaltender Matchup:
Montreal: Carey Price 21-20-9 2.36 GAA .917 SV% 4 SO
Buffalo: Ryan Miller 16-17-3 2.82 GAA .907 SV% 3 SO

Notes:
Last Meeting: Jan 31 @ Montreal-Sabres Won 3-1
Season Series: Sabres Lead 3-0
All-Time: Sabres Lead 131-118-36
All-Time @ BUF: Sabres Lead 76-41-23

Injury Report:
Montreal: Markov Knee Surgery(IR/Out), Gionta Bicep Surgery(IR/Out), Nokelainen Leg(IR/Out), Blunden Knee Surgery(IR/Out), Weber Lower Body(IR/Out), Moen Upper Body(Doubtful)
Buffalo: Hecht Concussion(IR/Out), McCormick Upper Body(Doubtful)

Next 5 Games:
Feb 19 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 12:30 PM(NBC HD)
Feb 21 vs. New York Islanders 7:00 PM(MSG HD)
Feb 24 vs. Boston Bruins 7:30 PM(MSG HD)
Feb 25 @ New York Rangers 7:00 PM(MSG HD)
Feb 29 @ Toronto Maple Leafs 7:00 PM(MSG HD, CBC)

Last Game:
New Jersey: Feb 11 vs. Panthers-Devils Lost 3-1

Buffalo: Feb 11 vs. Lightning-Sabres Lost 2-1

Record:
New Jersey: 31-20-4
Buffalo: 24-25-6

Points:
New Jersey: 66
Buffalo: 54

Rank In Conference:
New Jersey: 6th
Buffalo: 14th

Power Play Ranking:
New Jersey: 16.6(20th)
Buffalo: 17.1(T-18th)

Penalty Kill Ranking:
New Jersey: 88.4(2nd)
Buffalo: 81.9(T-14th)

Goals For:
New Jersey: 145(17th)
Buffalo: 131(T-25th)

Goals Against:
New Jersey: 152(15th)
Buffalo: 155(17th)

Shots For:
New Jersey: 1515(27th)
Buffalo: 1597(20th)

Shots Against:
New Jersey: 1494(2nd)
Buffalo: 1721(24th)

Blocked Shots:
New Jersey: 638(30th)
Buffalo: 697(25th)

Hits:
New Jersey: 1145(21st)
Buffalo: 986(30th)

Faceoff Percentage:
New Jersey: 46.6(29th)
Buffalo: 49.5(T-18th)

Team Leaders:
Goals:
New Jersey: Kovalchuk(22), Parise and Clarkson(21), Elias(19), Zubrus(15)
Buffalo: Vanek and Pominville(20), Roy(11), Adam(10)

Assists:
New Jersey: Elias(34), Kovalchuk(30), Parise(27), Henrique(21), Zubrus(17)
Buffalo: Pominville(32), Vanek(23), Stafford and Ehrhoff(17), Roy(16), Gerbe(14)

Points:
New Jersey: Elias(53), Kovalchuk(52), Parise(48), Henrique(35), Zubrus(32)
Buffalo: Pominville(52), Vanek(43), Roy(27), Stafford(26)

Plus/Minus:
New Jersey: Salvador(+11), Henrique(+8), Greene(+6), Josefson and Bernier(+3)
Buffalo: Gragnani(+10), Gerbe(+4), Gaustad(+3), Hecht and Sekera(+1)

Penalty Minutes:
New Jersey: Clarkson(88), Boulton(69), Janssen and Carter(60), Salvador(34)
Buffalo: Kaleta(86), Gaustad(65), McCormick(49), Vanek(40)

Shots:
New Jersey: Kovalchuk(197), Parise(192), Clarkson(154), Sykora(124)
Buffalo: Pominville(155), Stafford(142), Vanek(140), Roy(118)

Blocked Shots:
New Jersey: Volchenkov(88), Salvador(76), Fayne(65), Larsson(55)
Buffalo: Regehr(77), Leopold(69), Sekera(66), Ehrhoff(57)

Hits:
New Jersey: Clarkson(123), Volchenkov(115), Ponikarovsky(107), Carter(92)
Buffalo: Regehr(119), Kaleta(90), Gaustad(88), Weber(69), Stafford(68)

Face-Off Wins:
New Jersey: Elias(426), Henrique(338), Carter(177), Zubrus(127), Mills(77)
Buffalo: Roy(436), Gaustad(415), Pominville(148), Hecht(136)

Today’s Starting Goaltender Matchup:
New Jersey: Johan Hedberg 13-7-2 2.53 GAA .908 SV% 2 SO
Buffalo: Jhonas Enroth 8-9-3 2.59 GAA .919 SV% 1 SO

Notes:
Last Meeting: Jan 24 @ Devils-Sabres Won 2-1(SO)

Season Series: Devils Lead 2-0-1
All-Time: Sabres Lead 72-48-5
All-Time @ BUF: Sabres Lead 38-22-2

Injury Report:
New Jersey: Zajac Strained Achilles(IR/Out), Tallinder Blood Clot in Leg(IR/Out), Carter Non-Displaced Finger Fracture(IR/Out), Larsson Bruised Back(Out)
Buffalo: Stuart Lower Body(IR/Out), Hecht Concussion(IR/Out) Brennan Concussion(IR/Out), McCormick Upper Body(Questionable)

Next 5 Games:
Feb 16 at Philadelphia Flyers 7:00 PM(MSG HD)
Feb 17 vs. Montreal Canadiens 7:30 PM(MSG HD)
Feb 19 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 12:30 PM(NBC HD)
Feb 21 vs. New York Islanders 7:00 PM(MSG HD)
Feb 24 vs. Boston Bruins 7:30 PM(MSG HD)

Last Game:

Tampa Bay: Feb 9 at NY Rangers Loss(OT) 4-3

Buffalo: Feb 10 vs. Stars Win(SO) 3-2

Record:

Tampa Bay: 23-24-6

Buffalo: 24-24-6

Points:

Tampa Bay: 52

Buffalo: 54

Rank In Conference:

Tampa Bay: 13th

Buffalo: 11th

Power Play Ranking:

Tampa Bay: 13.9(26^th)

Buffalo: 17.2(T-17th)

Penalty Kill Ranking:

Tampa Bay: 80.6(24th)

Buffalo: 81.6(T-17th)

Goals For:

Tampa Bay: 149(11^th)

Buffalo: 130(25th)

Goals Against:

Tampa Bay: 177(30^th)

Buffalo: 153(20th)

Shots For:

Tampa Bay: 1494(24^th)

Buffalo: 1570(20^th)

Shots Against:

Tampa Bay: 1592(11^th)

Buffalo: 1693(24th)

Blocked Shots:

Tampa Bay: 825(11^th)

Buffalo: 680(T-24th)

Hits:

Tampa Bay: 1118(22^nd)

Buffalo: 968(29th)

Faceoff Percentage:

Tampa Bay: 49.3(20^th)

Buffalo: 49.4(19th)

Team Leaders:

Goals:

Tampa Bay: Stamkos(36), Lecavalier(21), St. Louis(16), Purcell(13)

Buffalo: Vanek(20), Pominville(19), Roy(11), Adam(10)

Assists:

Tampa Bay: St. Louis(34), Stamkos and Lecavalier(24), M. Bergeron(20), Purcell and Malone(17)

Buffalo: Pominville(32), Vanek(22), Stafford and Ehrhoff(17), Roy(16), Gerbe(14)

Points:

Tampa Bay: Stamkos(60), St. Louis(50), Lecavalier(45), Purcell(30)

Buffalo: Pominville(51), Vanek(42), Roy(27), Stafford(26)

Plus/Minus:

Tampa Bay: M. Bergeron and Purcell(+6), T. Smith, Stamkos, and Kubina(+4), Gilroy and Wyman(+3), Lecavalier and Mikkelson(+2)

Buffalo: Gragnani(+10), Gerbe(+4), Gaustad(+3), Hecht(+1)

Penalty Minutes:

Tampa Bay: Downie(121), Kubina(55), Moore(48), Stamkos and Lecavalier(44)

Buffalo: Kaleta(86), Gaustad(65), McCormick(49), Vanek(40)

Shots:

Tampa Bay: Stamkos(187), Lecavalier(161), St. Louis(115), Downie(89)

Buffalo: Pominville(150), Stafford(141), Vanek(138), Roy(116)

Blocked Shots:

Tampa Bay: B. Clark(126), Brewer(110), Kubina(90), Hedman(76)

Buffalo: Regehr(75), Leopold(68), Sekera(65), Ehrhoff(56)

Hits:

Tampa Bay: Brewer(119), Kubina(87), B. Clark(83), Malone(81)

Buffalo: Regehr(116), Gaustad and Kaleta(87), Weber(67), Stafford(66)

Face-Off Wins:

Tampa Bay: Lecavalier(459), Stamkos(325), Moore(295), N. Thompson(169)

Buffalo: Roy(428), Gaustad(403), Pominville(147), Hecht(136)

Today’s Starting Goaltender Matchup:

Tampa Bay: Mathieu Garon 16-13-4 2.91 GAA .900 SV% 1 SO

Buffalo:  Ryan Miller 16-15-3 2.76 GAA .909 SV% 3 SO

Notes:

Last Meeting: Oct 25 Lightning Won 4-3

Season Series: Lightning Lead 2-0-0

All-Time: Sabres Lead 46-21-5

All-Time vs. T.B.: Sabres Lead 22-12-2

Rangers top Lightning 4-3 in OT

Brad Richards is sick and tired of answering questions about his recent struggles. Perhaps his heroics on Thursday night will put an end to the inquiries, at least for the time being.

The Rangers’ $60 million man scored with 2:23 left in overtime to complete a 4-3 comeback victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. It was Richards’ second goal and fourth point in the past 13 games.

“It felt good,” said Richards of his 17th goal of the season. “Maybe now you guys can stop talking about it.”

Richards signed a nine-year deal with the Rangers this offseason and made an impact right away with 11 goals and 14 assists in his first 27 games. But he has cooled considerably, posting just five goals and four assists in 24 games before Thursday.

Coach John Tortorella said some of Richards’ slumping can be attributed to getting comfortable in his system.

“I think he’s playing better defensively,” Tortorella said. “It’s a bit of an adjustment to him, how much concentration we do have defensively here. He’ll get through it. Don’t give up on that guy.”

The Lightning entered the third period with a 3-2 lead on the strength of goals from Steven Stamkos, his League-leading 36th, Vincent Lecavalier and Bruno Gervais. But the Rangers’ Brian Boyle tied it with 9:47 left in regulation, helping the team improve to 4-9-1 when trailing after two periods.

It may not seem like an impressive mark, but only three teams have a better winning percentage in the same situation this season.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020803&navid=sb:recap

Sabres rally to beat Stars 3-2 in shootout

Don’t look now, but the Buffalo Sabres are stalking the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Following a blowout win over Boston on Wednesday, the Sabres proved they could win the close ones as well by erasing a two-goal, third-period deficit to beat Dallas 3-2 in a shootout for their third straight victory.

With the win, Buffalo (24-24-6) leapfrogged Montreal and Tampa Bay for sole possession of 11th place, eight points shy of the final playoff slot. Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy scored for Buffalo and Ryan Miller stopped 24 shots.

“We played well, played sound,” said Nathan Gerbe, who converted the shootout winner. “We didn’t have our legs right away, but Millsy came up big and kept us in the game. It shows we can play, it shows what kind of team we are and we’re ready to make a big run and make the playoffs.”

Dallas (28-23-3) moved within a point of eighth-place Phoenix in the West but failed in its bid to win a regular-season game in Buffalo for the first time since Oct. 7, 1997. Dallas dropped to 0-5-2 in its past trips to Buffalo.

When Tomas Vincour gave Dallas a 2-0 lead at 4:17 of the third period, some Sabre faithful headed for the First Niagara Center exits. Before they reached the door, Buffalo struck back on the power play.

Vanek, playing his first game since missing three with an upper-body injury, scored his team-leading 20th goal by deflecting Jason Pominville’s right-circle blast past Kari Lehtonen at 5:07.

“I said this morning that I think (Vanek) can be instant help with the power play,” said coach Lindy Ruff. “And it seems when he does come back he gets on the scoresheet.”

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020812&navid=sb:recap

This Day In Sabres History:

February 11, 2006 Vanek’s 2 Goal Night Carries Sabres to 5-3 win over Panthers

On This Day 6 Years ago Thomas Vanek scored twice in the Sabres 5-3 victory over the Florida Panthers. Sabres went up 2-0 by the 5:02 mark of the 2^nd Period on goals from J.P. Dumont and Jiri Novotny. The Panthers would come back scoring twice in a 5:17 span on goals from former Sabre Chris Gratton and Jon Sim. Vanek would give the Sabres the lead with 50 seconds left in the 2^nd Period. Vanek would add his 2^nd of the night 5:00 into the 3^rd Period to put the Sabres up 4-2. Jason Pominville would put the game out of reach scoring a Power Play Goal with 3:34 left in the game Mike Van Ryn would round out the scoring for the Panthers. Ryan Miller got the win for the Sabres making 29 Saves on the Night.

Injury Report:

Tampa Bay: Ohlund Arthroscopic Right Knee Surgery(IR/Out), Malone Upper Body(IR/Out), Tyrell Right Knee Surgery(IR/Out)

Buffalo: Stuart Lower Body(IR/Out), Hecht Concussion(IR/Out) Brennan Concussion(IR/Out)

Next 5 Games:

Feb 14 vs. New Jersey Devils 7:00 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 16 at Philadelphia Flyers 7:00 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 17 vs. Montreal Canadiens 7:30 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 19 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 12:30 PM(NBC HD)

Feb 21 vs. New York Islanders 7:00 PM(MSG HD)

Sabres are back in action tomorrow night when they take on Martin St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Puck Drop is after 7:00 PM and can be seen on MSG HD and WGRZ HD.

Last Game:

Dallas: at Blue Jackets Win 4-2

Buffalo: Feb 8 vs. Bruins Win 6-0

Record:

Dallas: 28-23-2

Buffalo: 23-24-6

Points:

Dallas: 58

Buffalo: 52

Rank In Conference:

Dallas: 8th

Buffalo: 13th

Power Play Ranking:

Dallas: 14.6(25th)

Buffalo: 16.8(18th)

Penalty Kill Ranking:

Dallas: 81.6(T-19^th)

Buffalo: 81.8(18th)

Goals For:

Dallas: 137(19^th)

Buffalo: 128(T-24th)

Goals Against:

Dallas: 148(T-16^th)

Buffalo: 151(T-19th)

Shots For:

Dallas: 1498(23rd)

Buffalo: 1538(20^th)

Shots Against:

Dallas: 1656(22nd)

Buffalo: 1667(23rd)

Blocked Shots:

Dallas: 836(T-7^th)

Buffalo: 669(25th)

Hits:

Dallas: 1433(3^rd)

Buffalo: 948(30th)

Faceoff Percentage:

Dallas: 49.3(20^th)

Buffalo: 49.2(T-22nd)

Team Leaders:

Goals:

Dallas: Ryder(19), Eriksson and Benn(17), Nystrom(15), Riberio(11)

Buffalo: Vanek and Pominville(19), Adam and Roy(10), Stafford(9), Leopold(8)

Assists:

Dallas: Benn(31), Eriksson(27), Riberio(25), Ryder and Ott(17)

Buffalo: Pominville(31), Vanek(22), Roy, Ehrhoff, and Stafford(16), Gerbe(14)

Points:

Dallas: Benn(48), Eriksson(44), Ryder and Riberio(36), Ott(25)

Buffalo: Pominville(50), Vanek(41), Roy(26), Stafford(25)

Plus/Minus:

Dallas: Benn(+15), Souray(+11), Ryder(+10), Eriksson(+9)

Buffalo: Gragnani(+10), Gerbe(+4), Gaustad(+2), Hecht and Ennis(+1)

Penalty Minutes:

Dallas: Ott(105), Morrow(74), Souray(59), Burish(48)

Buffalo: Kaleta(86), Gaustad(65), McCormick(47), Vanek(40)

Shots:

Dallas: Benn(135), Souray(132), Ryder(126), Eriksson(124)

Buffalo: Pominville(147), Vanek and Stafford(134), Roy(113), Ehrhoff(97)

Blocked Shots:

Dallas: Grossman(99), Daley(84), Robidas(62), Souray(61)

Buffalo: Regehr(72), Leopold(67), Sekera(64), Ehrhoff(56)

Hits:

Dallas: Ott(173), Fistric(143), Robidas(128), Nystrom(107)

Buffalo: Regehr(114), Gaustad(86), Kaleta(84), Weber(66)

Face-Off Wins:

Dallas: Ott(354), Fiddler(344), Benn(286), Riberio(184)

Buffalo: Roy(420), Gaustad(393), Pominville(145), Hecht(136)

Today’s Starting Goaltender Matchup:

Dallas: Richard Backman 6-3-1 2.72 GAA .912 SV% 1 SO

Buffalo:  Ryan Miller 15-15-3 2.79 GAA .908 SV% 3 SO

Notes:

Last Meeting: Oct 30, 2010 Stars Won 4-0

Season Series: Stars Won 1-0-0

All-Time: Sabres Lead 53-41-17

All-Time vs. DAL: Sabres Lead 30-13-11

Benn 2 Goals Power Stars 4-2 Victory over Blue Jackets

Jamie Benn scored two goals and Kari Lehtonen had 26 saves to make an early lead stand up in the Dallas Stars’ 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

Alex Goligoski and Stephane Robidas each had a goal and an assist, and Mike Ribeiro added two assists for the Stars, who began the night 12th in the Western Conference but just two points behind eighth-place Minnesota.

Dallas led 3-0 barely 21 minutes in and then hung on behind Lehtonen to win its fourth in the last six games.

Vinny Prospal and Rick Nash scored, and Fedor Tyutin and Derick Brassard had two assists apiece for Columbus, which was trying for its first three-game winning streak of the season.

Columbus had several chances to get the tying goal in the final period. With 6 minutes left, Jeff Carter, who had goals in his last two games, hit the post on a hard shot from the left hash. Tyutin was just wide with another big slap shot with just over a minute remaining and Lehtonen smothered R.J. Umberger’s redirect attempt with 29 seconds left.

The Stars wasted little time in taking control, scoring twice in the opening 4 1/2 minutes.

Benn opened the scoring after a giveaway by Columbus’ Samuel Pahlsson handed him the puck in the high slot. Benn wheeled and flicked a rising forehand shot into the top right corner of the goal for his 16th of the season.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020806&navid=sb:recap

Sabres demolish Bruins in 6-0 rout

Maybe Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff should watch every game from the press box.

With their coach nursing three broken ribs and watching the game from well above the ice at the First Niagara Center, Ryan Miller made 36 saves as the Sabres improved to 4-0-1 in their last five games by pummeling the Boston Bruins 6-0 on Wednesday night.

Ruff was forced off the bench after being injured when he was upended from behind by defenseman Jordan Leopold during Monday’s practice. With assistant James Patrick in charge, the Sabres completely dominated their Northeast Division rivals, knocking out starting goaltender Tuukka Rask less than 22 minutes on the way to their best offensive night of the season — they had been held to two goals or fewer in 15 of their last 20 games.

Ruff said after game that he won’t be on the ice for some time — “I can’t yell and I’ve got to be careful that I don’t get hit again” — so he’ll watch practice from bench and games from the press box.

“I’m going to be down and out for a little while,” he said. “But it makes you feel better that the compete (level) was really good.”

The win does go on his coaching record, however.

“James did a great job of taking the bull by the horns. I said, ‘It’s your bench to run.’ … It’s all yours to run,” Ruff said.

Miller’s best save came seven minutes into the game when he robbed David Krejci from in front of the net with his right pad. He also denied Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin in a span of a few seconds early in the third period.

“It was a great effort by our guys,” Miller said. “The system was great, the effort was great. That’s the way we need to play hockey. The battle (level) was there; the attention to detail was there.”

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020797&navid=sb:recap

This Day In Sabres History:

February 10, 2008 Zednik survives scare, Sabres win 5-3 over the Panthers

On this day 4 years ago one of the scariest moments in First Niagara Center history occurred when Florida Panthers Forwards Richard Zednik got his throat cut by teammate Olli Jokinen’s Skate in the 3^rd Period of the Sabres 5-3 win over the Panthers. Zednik was rushed off the ice by Sabres and Panthers trainers and taken to Buffalo General Hospital to have surgery. Zednik would not return for the remainder of the season, but Zednik would play one more season with the Panthers before playing in Europe. There was some doubt that the game would continue, but after a 15 minute delay the game continued play. The since has been seen before by Sabres fans when goaltender Clint Malarchuck suffered the same injury in 1989. The Sabres were ahead 4-3 before the Zednik injury. Buffalo got 2 goals from Derek Roy and single tallies from Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, and Patrick Kaleta. Ryan Miller would make 22 saves in the win.

Injury Report:

Dallas: Morrow Neck/Back(IR/Out), Souray Foot(Questionable)

Buffalo: Stuart Lower Body(IR/Out), Hecht Concussion(IR/Out) Brennan Concussion(IR/Out), Vanek Upper Body(Out)

Next 5 Games:

Feb 11 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 7:00 PM(MSG HD/WGRZ HD)

Feb 14 vs. New Jersey Devils 7:00 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 16 at Philadelphia Flyers 7:00 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 17 vs. Montreal Canadiens 7:30 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 19 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 12:30 PM(NBC HD)

Patrick Kaleta who played one of his best games of the season put the Sabres up by 4 when Kaleta would catch the reigning Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas by surprise. Jason Pominville 2nd of the night came 1:18 into the 3rd Period when he converted on another Ville Leino backhand pass. Drew Stafford would cap off the scoring when Tyler Ennis pulled Thomas out of the net and found Drew Stafford all alone. Ryan Miller got his 14th victory of the season and 3rd Shutout of the season making 34 saves on the night.

Sabres return to action on Friday Night when James Neal and Dallas Stars visit the First Niagara Center. Game Time is 7:30 and can be seen on MSG HD.

Last Game:

Boston: Feb 5 at Capitals Win 4-1

Buffalo: Feb 4 at NY Islanders Win(SO) 4-3

Record:

Boston: 33-16-2

Buffalo: 22-24-6

Points:

Boston: 68

Buffalo: 50

Rank In Conference:

Boston: 2nd

Buffalo: 14th

Power Play Ranking:

Boston: 18.6(T-11^th)

Buffalo: 17.0(T-17th)

Penalty Kill Ranking:

Boston: 85.2(7^th)

Buffalo: 81.8(T-18th)

Goals For:

Boston: 175(1^st)

Buffalo: 122(T-26th)

Goals Against:

Boston: 110(3^rd)

Buffalo: 151(21st)

Shots For:

Boston: 1677(8^th)

Buffalo: 1509(20^th)

Shots Against:

Boston: 1595(16^th)

Buffalo: 1631(21st)

Blocked Shots:

Boston: 674(23rd)

Buffalo: 655(26th)

Hits:

Boston: 1039(24^th)

Buffalo: 930(29th)

Faceoff Percentage:

Boston: 55.4(1^st)

Buffalo: 46.9(T-17^th)

Team Leaders:

Goals:

Boston: Seguin(20), Lucic and Marchand(19), Horton(17), P. Bergeron(15)

Buffalo: Vanek(19), Pominville(17), Adam and Roy(10), Stafford and Leopold(8)

Assists:

Boston: P. Bergeron(31), Krejci(28), Peverley(27), Seguin(24)

Buffalo: Pominville(31), Vanek(22), Roy, Ehrhoff, and Stafford(16), Gerbe(13)

Points:

Boston: P. Bergeron(46), Seguin(44), Lucic(40), Krejci(39)

Buffalo: Pominville(48), Vanek(41), Roy(26), Stafford(24)

Plus/Minus:

Boston: Seguin(+33), P. Bergeron and Chara(+27), Kelly, Marchand, and J. Boychuk(+24), Peverley(+19)

Buffalo: Gragnani(+10), Gerbe(+2), Hecht(+1), Szczechura and Whitmore(EV)

Penalty Minutes:

Boston: S. Thornton(95), Lucic(90), Marchand(77), McQuaid(63)

Buffalo: Kaleta(69), Gaustad(63), McCormick(42), Vanek(40)

Shots:

Boston: Chara(148), Seguin(144), P. Bergeron(123), Corvo(119)

Buffalo: Pominville(143), Vanek(134), Stafford(131), Roy(111)

Blocked Shots:

Boston: Seidenberg(109), J. Boychuk(88), McQuaid(74), Chara(54)

Buffalo: Regehr(70), Sekera(64), Leopold(63), Ehrhoff(54)

Hits:

Boston: Lucic(117), Chara(102), Seidenberg(90), J. Boychuk(89)

Buffalo: Regehr(114), Gaustad(86), Kaleta(77), Weber(64)

Face-Off Wins:

Boston: Bergeron(587), Krejci(341), Kelly(250), G. Campbell(229)

Buffalo: Roy(418), Gaustad(391), Pominville(144), Hecht(136)

Today’s Starting Goaltender Matchup:

Boston: Tuukka Rask 11-6-2 1.88 GAA .936 SV% 3 SO

Buffalo:  Ryan Miller 14-15-3 2.88 GAA .905 SV% 2 SO

Notes:

Last Meeting: Nov 23 Bruins Won(SO) 4-3

Season Series: Bruins Lead 2-0-0

All-Time: Sabres Lead 112-108-39

All-Time vs. BOS: Sabres Lead 68-41-21

Thomas makes 35 saves in Bruins’ 4-1 win over Caps

Ten days ago, the Boston Bruins had a terrible defensive effort at Verizon Center, yielding five goals to a Washington Capitals team that was short Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green.

The defending Stanley Cup champions were back in the nation’s capital Sunday afternoon, and they looked a lot more like a club that can repeat. Tim Thomas made 35 saves and the Bruins methodically dispatched the Capitals in a 4-1 victory.

“We just weren’t playing our best of late,” Bruins forward Brad Marchand said. “We knew we had to get back on track. We did a lot of good things last game and we wanted to carry it over to today. We knew that when we play our game we’re a pretty good team, but when we don’t, we’re not. We enjoy winning and have a lot of fun when we’re doing it.”

Boston had lost six of its past 10 games, including a 2-1 defeat Saturday afternoon at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Washington had a chance to reclaim first place in the Southeast Division, but even with a strong performance from Ovechkin, the Capitals were outclassed by Thomas and the Bruins.

Washington has now lost six of its past nine games, and will face a critical contest Tuesday night in this building against the Florida Panthers, who are one point in front of the Capitals and now have a game in hand.

The Bruins struck twice in the first period, and both goals came shortly after faceoffs in the Bruins’ zone. Milan Lucic put Boston in front at the 10:45 mark after Rich Peverley collected the puck near his own goal line and skated it all the way to the offensive blue line before slipping a pass to Lucic.

It was Lucic’s 19th goal of the season. Peverley, who has played mostly on the third line but is filling in for an injured Nathan Horton, added an empty-net goal in the final minute and now has 36 points in 45 games for the Bruins.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020779&navid=sb:recap

Miller makes history as Sabres rally past Isles, 4-3

One had to wonder if Ryan Miller would indeed enjoy a historic night Saturday after surrendering three goals on nine shots in the first 20 minutes.

But his teammates rallied from a 3-1 deficit before Miller went 2-for-2 in the shootout as the Buffalo Sabres pulled out a 4-3 win against the New York Islanders in front of 14,618 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

With the victory Miller, 31, passed Dominik Hasek and became the winningest goaltender in Sabres history. Miller finished with 35 saves — he stopped all 29 he faced after the opening period — to secure his 235th career victory — all with Buffalo.

“I’m proud of it,” said Miller, a fifth-round draft choice (No. 138) in 1999. “It’s nice. I’m proud of being a Buffalo Sabre. I was really excited coming here as a young player and looking up to Dominik Hasek. I’ve played with some great teams and some great players. I’ve had a coaching staff and a support staff that’s had my back for a number of years. It’s nice, and there’s a source of pride from that.”

Lindy Ruff, who has been Miller’s coach since the latter entered the NHL during the 2002-03 season, was awfully proud to see his goaltender make history Saturday night.

“It was nice to see,” Ruff said. “He’s had a tough run, but he battled back tonight. I thought a couple of goals that we probably don’t like, but I thought for him to battle back and shut them down the rest of the game and shut down the first two shooters in the shootout and win in that fashion … it’s a great game to set the mark with.”

http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020772&navid=sb:recap

This Day In Sabres History:

February 8, 2011 Stafford’s Hatter Leads Sabres Comeback Over Bolts

On this Day last year the Sabres were clinging to their playoff hopes like this season. The Sabres played a very important game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, they didn’t get off to the start that they were hoping for. The Sabres found themselves down 3-2 going into the 3^rd Period against one of the better defensive teams in the league. Sean Bergenheim scored twice and Vincent Lecavalier gave the Bolts the lead going into the final frame. Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek had the goals for the Sabres after 2. Vanek’s goal would turn out to be an important goal that turned the tide of the game netting it with 1:50 left giving the Sabres momentum. The Sabres would then go on to score the next 5 goals of the game. Jordan Leopold would tie the game for the Sabres 4:26 into the 3^rd Period. The Sabres would then score 4 goals in the 3:13 span chasing Lightning Goalie Dwayne Roloson. Stafford would score twice in that span and Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly would also marker. Vincent Lecavalier would finish up the scoring late in the 3^rd. The win prove to be a huge one for the Sabres in their chase to make the playoffs.

Injury Report:

Boston: Savard Post Concussion-Syndrome(IR/Out), Horton Mild Concussion(Out)

Buffalo: Stuart Lower Body(IR/Out), Hecht Concussion(IR/Out) Brennan Concussion(IR/Out), Vanek Upper Body(Out)

Next 5 Games:

Feb 10 vs. Dallas Stars 7:30 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 11 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 7:00 PM(MSG HD/ CH.2 HD)

Feb 14 vs. New Jersey Devils 7:00 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 16 at Philadelphia Flyers 7:00 PM(MSG HD)

Feb 17 vs. Montreal Canadiens 7:30 PM(MSG HD)

Derek Roy would score his first goal since January 14 to cut the deficit to 1 when his slap shot beat Montoya with 1:19 left in the 2nd Period. Paul Gaustad would score his 2nd Goal in the last 3 games with 8:24 left in the game when his wrist shot beat Montoya on the stick side. The game would remained tied at 3 after OT, eventhough the Islanders had a full 2 minute Power Play in Overtime. Jason Pominville and Brad Boyes remain to be money in the shootout getting the goals for the Sabres and Ryan Miller stopped PA Parenteau and Frans Nielsen to seal the victory. Miller continued his strong play stopping 35 Islanders Shots. Al Montoya got the lost and made 34 Saves.

The Sabres have a busy week at home next week playing 3 times in 4 nights. On Wednesday Ryan Miller will face Milan Lucic and The Boston Bruins for the first time since being injured by Lucic. Wednesday Game can be seen on NBCS HD. You can hear RJ, Harry Neale, and Rob Ray on WGR 550.