Sabres Edge

Sabres caught Flyers in the trap

The Sabres have taken great pride in playing a puck-possession style in which they tried pushing the pace for much of the season, but they switched almost exclusively to a neutral-zone trap en route to beating the Flyers. Coach Lindy Ruff, who for years expressed disdain for the trap, figured he had no choice.

Installing the trap was the biggest adjustment Ruff made last week after the Sabres lost to the Flyers and Bruins on successive nights. It prompted Ruff to review how the Sabres performed in the second half of back-to-back games, and it wasn't pretty. They were 0-3 this season and had been outscored, 13-4, in the second game before beating the Flyers.

The Sabres rolled out a 1-3-1 against the Flyers, who became increasingly frustrated while trying to get the puck through the neutral zone. It helped Buffalo win more races to the puck despite having tired legs from playing a tough game against Calgary the previous night at home.

"We played [Friday] night, and they didn't," Ruff said. "I said I had to take a hard look at back-to-back games and how we approached them, maybe taking a little off of the aggressive side and be ready to look for turnovers and going the other way.

"We were at a little bit of a competitive disadvantage. We faced teams that have done the same in our building. With our record in the back-to-back, it was time to take a look at maybe toning down our game a little bit."

Don't be surprised if you see more of the same this weekend. The Sabres play the Bruins on Friday before traveling to Ottawa on Saturday.

--- Bucky Gleason

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Live from Sabres at Philly

PHILADELPHIA -- Former first-round pick Tyler Ennis learned how quickly things can change in professional hockey. The rookie spent Thursday night playing against Chris Taylor. Forty-eight hours later, he was making his NHL debut against Chris Pronger and the Flyers.

The Sabres realized Saturday morning they would be without winger Drew Stafford, who suffered a hip-flexor injury, and summoned Ennis from Portland in time for the game. His plane landed about 5:10, and he didn't arrive at the Wachovia Center until about an hour before faceoff. Ennis played his first shift on the power play with Tim Connolly and Paul Gaustad up front.

He was with Connolly and Thomas Vanek on his first regular shift.

Ennis was selected 26th overall in 2008, the year the Sabres took Tyler Myers with the 13th pick overall. The 5-foot-9, 163-pound center has Mite size but NHL hands and speed. He had six goals and 13 points, making him Portland's second-leading scorer behind Mark Mancari. The 20-year-old had 43 goals and 85 points last season for Medicine Hat in Western Hockey League.  

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was impressed after seeing Ennis record two assists Thursday night when Portland played Rochester in HSBC Arena.

"He makes a lot of good plays," Ruff said. "With a skill guy out of the lineup, we look to put a little more skill against these guys."  

FIRST PERIOD

20:00 remaining: Santa Claus stopped in the press box and gave me a candy cane. No, I didn't boo him. That's what they do in Philadelphia.

19:34: Flyers waste no time buzzing around the Sabres net. Mike Richards, Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux each had chances with Ryan Miller making saves.

18:32: Dan Carcillo goes off for cross-checking after starting trouble, which he does, with Tyler Myers. Ennis plays his first shift on the power play has a scoring chance after deflecting Jason Pominville's shot from the blue line.

16:49: Sabres take a 1-0 lead when Vanek buries a pass in the slot from Clarke MacArthur on the power play. The goal was the result of good puck movement. Roy found MacArthur below the goal line, and MacArthur sent a touch pass to Vanek in front of the net.

11:57: Kennedy has a good scoring chance after taking a pass from Hecht in the right circle, but Emery makes a good save with his blocker.

10:23: Vanek sent to the box for hooking Coburn. It's an easy call and not a good penalty considering the Flyers have the best PP in the NHL.

8:14: Hecht does a great job killing penalties before getting dumped by Pronger in the Flyers' zone.

2:39: Roy draw his second penalty, this one on Coburn for interference after he chopped Roy's stick out of his hands.

2:09: Pominville rattles one off the post. He entered the game with eight goals and 17 points in 16 career games against Philly.

1:57: Gaustad and Pronger are sent off for roughing after a scrum in front of the Philly net. Gaustad was hardly backing down from one of the nastiest players in the game. If anything, Gaustad was initiating a dustup after Pronger popped him in the crease.

0:00 End of period. Sabres 1, Flyers 0.

SECOND PERIOD

19:24: Roy wins a battle with Darroll Powe along the wing, sets up Pominville for a one-timer and draws a hooking penalty in the process.

17:32: Montador makes a good play by getting a good wrist shot -- not a slapper -- on net bounces over Roy's stick in the slot on a good scoring chance.

14:46: Kaleta is drilled by Mike Richards along the wall.

14:40: Kaleta flattens Matt Carle in the neutral zone.

12:57: Jeff Carter is shipped to the box for slashing Andrej Sekera. Dumb.

12:33: Tim Connolly catches Emery out of position and nearly slips a wrist shot past the goaltender.

6:29: The Sabres continue to get into shot lanes and win races to loose pucks. They're simply playing harder than the Flyers at this point.

5:10: Ennis? Yes. The rookie takes a pass from Tim Kennedy, makes a move in the right circle and fires a wrist shot off Emery and into the net for his first NHL goal. Who was more thrilled, Ennis or Kennedy? Ennis. He can't wipe the smile off of his face. His teammates are having fun watching him have fun.

0:30: Miller beats Mika Pyarola to the far post, stopping a wraparound attempt. The Sabres are one step ahead in this game.

0:00 End of second period. Sabres 2, Flyers 0.

THIRD PERIOD

17:17: Pronger cuts the lead to 2-1 when he takes a pass from Jeff Carter and fires a wrist shot through a screen, beating Miller glove side. Now it gets interesting.

15:56: Vanek is sent off again, this time for slashing Mike Richards. The Flyers appear to be gaining momentum from Pronger's goal and the best PP in the league.

15:31: Not so fast. Briere retaliates against Chris Butler with a two-hander across the neck. Not too smart, Danny.

13:35: Gaustad scores on the power play, giving the Sabres a 3-1 lead, after he wins a faceoff against Blair Betts and heads for the net. Tyler Myers fires a low slapper, and Gaustad tips the puck between Emery's pads.

10:40: Pronger is called for delay of game.

9:39: Carter scores shorthanded after winning a battle around the net despite being surrounded by four Buffalo throwback jerseys. The play started when Connolly coughed up the puck in the neutral zone. Mike Richards did a good job getting the puck to the net.

1:35: Miller runs into Miller during another scoring chance.

0:00: End of game. Sabres 3, Flyers 2. Buffalo's three-game winning streak is impressive considering they played over four nights, two back-to-back games against tough teams in Calgary and Philly, plus travel.  

--- Bucky Gleason

Ennis to make NHL debut

PHILADELPHIA -- Buffalo Sabres prospect Tyler Ennis is expected to make his NHL debut tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers after winger Drew Stafford suffered a hip-flexor injury Friday night against the Calgary Flames.

Ennis, selected 26th overall in 2008, was flying from Buffalo to Philadelphia and was scheduled to land about two hours before the game. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was still figuring out how he would use the 20-year-old center but was considering playing him between veterans Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly. Ennis also was expected to get some time on the power play.

"He makes a lot of good plays," Ruff said. "With a skill guy out of the lineup, we look to put a little more skill against these guys."  

Ruff had a chance to see Ennis, who is 5-foot-9 and 163 pounds, record two assists Thursday night when Portland played Rochester in HSBC Arena. Ennis was second behind Mark Mancari among Pirates in scoring with six goals and 13 points. Ennis had 43 goals and 85 points in 61 games last season with Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League.

Stafford did not skate during the optional morning workout. The other scratches will be forward Mike Grier and defensemen Toni Lydman and Nathan Paetsch.

--- Bucky Gleason

Lydman getting closer

PHILADELPHIA-- Sabres defenseman Toni Lydman continued making progress today after missing nine straight games with a strained groin. He's not playing tonight against the Flyers but is hoping to be back in the lineup sometime next week.

"It's getting better now," Lydman said after the Sabres' morning workout. "We're definitely almost there. I think so. That's my humble opinion. I don't know for sure."

Lydman was hesitant because he thought he would be back several times over the past three weeks only to suffer setbacks. The Sabres don't play again until Wednesday, which gives him another three days to recover before they make a decision. Mike Grier (groin) had a light skate but will not play tonight.

Lydman's return would put the Sabres at the 23-man roster limit. It would include eight defensemen, including defenseman-forward Nathan Paetsch. Most teams carry only seven. The Sabres will likely stick with eight unless they figure out a way to make room. 

Ryan Miller did not participate in the optional practice this morning but will likely be back in net for the third straight game. Veteran backup Patrick Lalime had a full workout this morning.

--- Bucky Gleason

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Live from Flames at Sabres

Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers, born in Houston, moved to Calgary when he was 10. He was 14 when the Flames went the Stanley Cup finals in 2004 and remembers reveling in the Red Mile.

"It feels a little weird [playing them] being that I used to be that kid in the stands cheering for them in that Cup run," Myers said.

Well, Myers could feel right at home tonight in HSBC Arena. The red jerseys have invaded the Sabres' home, as Flames backers are packing the place to see their team here for the first time since the 2006-07 season. A big cheer just went up as the PA announcer said Jarome Iginla is in the starting lineup -- which brings us to this cheap plug: Read about Iginla as the top of Saturday's notebook.

More in minutes.

FIRST PERIOD

7:39 p.m: Lindy Ruff opens the game with Clarke MacArthur-Derek Roy-Jason Pominville and defensemen Henrik Tallinder-Tyler Myers against the line with Iginla-Olli Jokinen-Fredrik Sjostrom. Will be interesting to see if that stays all game.

7:40 p.m.: The Flames backers are already out of their seats as Daymond Langkow scores just 1:04 in.

7:44 p.m.: Quality shift by the Sabres' starting line, getting four good chances on Miikka Kiprusoff with three minutes gone. Roy got some applause with a big check along the boards to keep the puck in.

7:47 p.m.: My hunch proved correct, so now I'm kicking myself for not making it a prediction. Anyway, Adam Mair fights a long, quality battle with the Flames' Brandon Prust with 5:02 gone. Mair lands plenty of lefts early, but Prust unleashes a huge right hand to take the latter stages.

7:50 p.m.: New Flames coach Brent Sutter is regarded as a defensive coach, so I wasn't sure what type of game we'd have tonight. So far, it's filled with odd-man rushes leading to odd-man rushes the other way. Entertaining start after a sluggish game Wednesday.

7:56 p.m.: Patrick Kaleta wants to be the next to fight, it appears. He's twice pushed and tussled with defensemen in the Calgary crease. Second one comes after Jochen Hecht draws a hooking penalty on Adam Pardy with 10:46 to go.

8 p.m.: In a case of poor officiating, the refs allow Kaleta and Iginla push and shove twice. The two jostled hard when Kaleta came and pushed Iginla down along the boards, but instead of the refs sending both to the box, then sent them back to their benches. Instead of going in, they met in the middle and shoved again. That time, the refs woke up and sent them to the box with 8:06 to go.

8:06 p.m.: There's a person in the front row dressed as Gumby. Why? I have no idea.

8:09 p.m.: Sabres, who were dreadful on first power play, get another with 3:24 to go. They capitalize 18 seconds later. Robyn Regehr deflects two shots near Calgary net before Roy flips a backhand over a prone Kiprusoff.

8:14 p.m.: Now that was 20 minutes of real hockey, with the first period ending in a 1-1 tie. Aside from some subpar efforts on Calgary's goal and a few bad passing decisions, that was possibly the Sabres' best period of the season given the level of competition. They hold an 18-5 shot edge and 13-11 advantage in hits, standing up to a very physical team.

SECOND PERIOD

8:33 p.m.: The teams are back, and so is the action.

8:38 p.m.: Sabres' penalty killers, particularly Paul Gaustad, are stellar in holding Flames without a shot after Craig Rivet goes off for high-sticking just 1:35 in.

8:42 p.m.: Flames do better on a second power play, getting two shots when Hecht leaves for interference with 4:13 gone, but it's still 1-1.

8:46 p.m.: the Sabres had five penalties in the second period of their last game. They're well on their way again. Myers goes for hooking with 12:37 gone, giving them three penalties this period already.

8:49 p.m.: Sabres kill another one, but the shots are 7-0 Calgary with 9:52 to go.

8:51 p.m.: I know Sabretooth, and that ain't the real Sabretooth entertaining the crowd with a big dance routine during a commerical. He danced almost as well as I can. Almost.

8:55 p.m.: Sabres get a chance for their first shot as Jokinen hooks Hecht with 7:08 left.

8:58 p.m.: All Sabres get on the power play are boos, some guy yelling "We want one!" and a huge short-handed breakaway save by Miller on Rene Bourque after three Sabres enter Calgary zone on same side and turn the puck over.

8:59 p.m.: There's the big mock cheer we all know and love as Roy gets Sabres' first shot with 4:29 to go. Flames have a 12-1 edge with 4:18 to go..

9:03 p.m: "It's Tricky" by Run-DMC? Really? L.L. Cool J was better in that era, and there's nothing wrong with Jay-Z.

9:05 p.m.: Fans are honking for Goose as Gaustad fights/wrestles with Dion Phaneuf after the Calgary defenseman comes in high on Gaustad's clearing attempt with 2:41 left.

9:09 p.m.: Second period, nowhere near as entertaining as the first, closes the same way it started, tied 1-1. Flames take 12 of the 15 shots to close their gap to 21-17. To steal my favorite Bucky Gleason line, there were a lot of players out there with hands like feet. Bad passing and poor acceptance of passes, especially by Buffalo.

THIRD PERIOD

9:29 p.m.: Game on.

9:35 p.m.: Flames have a 2-1 shot lead with 14:47 left as the teams edge toward an almost-inevitable overtime.

9:41 p.m.: Sabres kill another penalty, this time when Rivet goes for boarding. Not the best game for the captain.

9:47 p.m.: Roughing penalties for Mair and Adam Pardy with 9:54 left give the teams some four-on-four play -- with more to come if they reach OT.

9:57 p.m.: Roy has really lifted his game lately. It's still 1-1 with 3:29 to go.

9:59 p.m.: My pet peeve will Sabres fans resurfaces with two minutes to go. Flames backers start a "Let's go, Flames" chant, and the Buffalonians respond with ... booing. I've said it before and have no doubt I'll say it again -- Hey, try cheering louder instead!

10:02 p.m.: Big surprise, teams are headed to overtime. The shots were just 6-6 in the period, with the squads playing for a point.

OVERTIME

10:07 p.m.: The Calgary kid draws a penalty with 2:31 to go. Myers moves around Jokinen and gets hauled down.

10:10 p.m.: The best player when the Sabres have the power play? Miller. Another big short-handed stop with 1:15 left.

10:11 p.m.: Depsite the best efforts of Myers, Steve Montador and Tim Connolly, the Sabres are going to a shootout.

SHOOTOUT

10:21 p.m.: Sabres win. Jason Pominville scores the winner, while Miller stops three of four.

POSTGAME

10:56 p.m.: Audio from Miller and coach Lindy Ruff below.

---John Vogl

RyanMiller

LindyRuff

Grier out; Olympic matchup in net

Mike Grier skipped the morning skate for the Sabres, meaning there's a 99.9999 percent certainty he won't be in the lineup tonight when the Flames visit HSBC Arena. Patrick Kaleta will fill his spot on the line with Tim Kennedy and Jochen Hecht, while Adam Mair gets his shot at redemption after being waived earlier in the week. I won't predict he gets in a fight, but I do have a hunch.

The real attraction should be in the crease, where two likely Olympians will set up. USA's Ryan Miller is starting for the Sabres, while Finland's Miikka Kiprusoff is going for Calgary. Miller's numbers: 10-2-1, 1.82, .938. Kiprusoff: 10-3-1, 2.49, .917.

---John Vogl

More from Miller on head shots

Ryan Miller is honored to be a member of the NHL competition committee. The two-year gig started last spring. He's hoping next spring the group gets to talk about something that really matters.

The Sabres goaltender noticed "media-driven" issues dominated the conversations in June while he wanted to talk about real problems plaguing the players. Instead of fighting and goalie equipment -- the causes du jour -- he wants to legislate hits to the head.

"I was mad that they were only reacting to media-related issues, like the fighting, goal scoring – those are complete media issues – or goaltending equipment," Miller said. "We have some real issues in the game we’re trying to address, and it seems like they get pushed off to the side because there’s pressure. They want to get the goaltending stuff done because they made a promise to the fans through the media that you would see a reduction in goalie equipment. Why? Goal scoring is going up. It’s still hard to be a goalie. There’s protection issues. There’s research and development issues. What are you guys doing about it. They just want to react.

"Because there was so much media pressure, we had to address fighting. Fighting happens in every other sport, and it’s penalized by getting kicked out. We penalize it differently, but it’s still major penalties and major amount of the game is missed. Five minutes is a long time for a scrap. Adding two, five and 10 to a fight, you’re out. We reacted to it, and now we have a major penalty for instigating a fight. But we don’t have anything that covers something that can end a guy’s career or put him out for the rest of the game, something that can hurt a team for more than just that game. Yeah, start a fight, start a scrap, it usually doesn’t affect a superstar or somebody that can change that game that night. But now we’ve got something that can put a guy out who can change the game every night, and nothing gets done about it."

He's hoping the next thing the media and league react to are head shots.

"Every year, it’s just like, 'Ah, we don’t want to take the hitting out of hockey.' Well, we don’t want to take our best players out of hockey," Miller said. "We want to have the best product on the ice every night.

"A fan who buys a ticket four, five months ahead of time, waiting to see their favorite player come through, expects to see their favorite player on the ice. That’s just the way it goes, and you’re going to have guys on the shelf for a week just because they got grazed in the head by some idiot with his elbow."

---John Vogl

Live from HSBC: Pirates style

Greetings from HSBC Arena, where the Portland Pirates will serve as the home team tonight. The Buffalo Sabres' AHL affiliate is in town to host the white-hot Rochester Americans.

Buffalo's old affiliate has won 11 games in a row and is in first place in the AHL's Western Conference North Division with a 12-1-1 record.

This is the first meeting between the two teams since the Sabres switched affiliates prior to last season.

One player who won't be on the ice for the Pirates is Nathan Gerbe. The second-year pro will miss his fourth straight game because of injury. You can read more on that in tomorrow's Pirates notebook.

I still like this idea of Portland playing games here, but I'm not sure about the timing. Having the game sandwiched between two Sabres home games might hurt attendance, by the looks of things in the Arena so far. Three straight nights is a lot to ask of Sabres season ticket holders (the assumed target market for this game), both in terms of time and the hit that takes on one's wallet.

That being said, it provides a great chance to see some of Buffalo's young prospects for a reasonable cost, something that's not easily done anymore considering the distance between Western New York and Maine.

Back for the drop of the puck in about 20 minutes.

FIRST PERIOD

As The News' John Vogl reported earlier today, Jhonas Enroth has been sent back to the Pirates by the Sabres. He's in net tonight. The rest of the Portland starters: Mike Weber and Matt Generous, D; Tyler Ennis, C; Mark Mancari, RW; Philip Gogulla, LW.

Portland scratches: Felix Schutz, C; Marc-Andre Gragnani, D; Gerbe; Brad Larsen, LW.

7:06 p.m.: We're underway.

7:13 p.m.: Decent chance for Pirates LW Jeff Cowan after a turnover at the Rochester blue line. Cowan's shot is gloved by Amerks rookie goalie Alexander Salak. We're still scoreless.

7:17 p.m.: Enroth's first big save of the game comes with 12:19 left in the first period after Rochester's Mike York got free behind the Portland defense. York went five-hole, to no avail. Shots are 4-3 Amerks.

7:24 p.m.: A good shift by Portland LW Derek Whitmore results in a couple good chances but still no score. Shots are now 6-6 with less than five minutes to play in a quick-moving first.

7:27 p.m.: First penalty of the game comes with 3:16 left in the first and goes to Rochester's Graham Mink for holding. Pirates to the power play.

7:31 p.m.: Before the Portland fans can even celebrate taking a 1-0 leadon Mancari's power play goal, the Amerks tie it 1-1 on Jeff Taffe's goal just 17 seconds later. It's 1-1. Mancari took Ennis' touch pass and blasted it home from the point. Taffe scored on a great feed from Jamie Johnson.

7:34: Tough way for the Pirates to end the period. On a delayed penalty, Rochester takes a 2-1 leadon Johnson's perfect tip of a point shot from Jason Garrison with just 27.4 seconds left in the period. Taffe also had an assist; he and Johnson have two points on the night.

7:36 p.m.: End of 1, 2-1 Rochester. Shots are 8-7 Amerks.

SECOND PERIOD

7:52 p.m.: We're back. Just one penalty in that first period. Not much hitting either.

7:56 p.m.: Portland to the power play as Rochester's Peter Aston goes off for holding at 1:46.

7:59 p.m.: Nothing doing on the power play, still 2-1 Rochester with 16:07 to go in the second.

8:01 p.m.: This time it's a Pirate to the box, as C Travis Turnbull is whistled for holding.

8:02 p.m.: Doesn't matter. Portland's Paul Byron ties it at 2-2 with a short-handed goal on an assist from Cody McCormick.

8:06 p.m.: Enroth makes a big save on a partial breakaway for Rochester's Jimmy Bonneau. Shots are 11-11 so far exactly halfway through the game.

8:15 p.m.: Philip Gogulla's third goal of the season gives the Pirates a 3-2 lead. It was scored on the type of goal you'd see at the NHL level. A perfect three-way passing play from the top line of Ennis-Mancari-Gogulla leads to an easy one.

8:17 p.m.: Whitmore is rewarded for his earlier hard work with his third goal of the season. His impossible-angle shot from the left somehow gets behind Salak and makes it 4-2 Portland. That one chases Salak. Chris Beckford-Tseu is now in net for the Amerks, if you're scoring at home.

8:25 p.m.: We saw one NHL-level play in that period and one mite-level play. With less than 10 seconds to play in the second Rochester's Keaton Ellerby trips over his own blue line, leading to a breakaway for McCormick, who beats Beckford-Tseu with just 3 seconds to go in the period. It's 5-2 Pirates.

8:26 p.m. End of 2, 5-2. Shots, 18-17 Rochester.

THIRD PERIOD

8:44 p.m.: We're back for the third. A quick note on attendance: It's bad. Probably about 4,000 or so, much less than the more than 11,000 who were here in February. Not a soul in the 300s. Posts will be sporadic in the third as we've got a game story to write.

8:56 p.m.: Portland to the power play with 10:12 left. Rochester's David Brine goes off for tripping.

8:59 p.m.: It's turning ugly. Mancari takes a cross-checking penalty with 8:46 left, negating the rest of the Pirates power play, after it looked like the referees missed a high sticking on Rochester.

9:00 p.m.: Announced attendance 4,685. Sounds about right.

9:02 p.m.: Rochester scores on the power play. York sets up former Sabre Chris Taylor in front with 7:39 left. A few "Let's Go Amerks" chants can be heard. It's 5-3 Portland.

9:12 p.m.: Timeout Rochester, 1:38 to play. Still 5-3 Portland.

9:13 p.m.: Kyle Wanvig ices it for the Pirates, scoring into an empty net with 1:17 left. It's 6-3.

9:15 p.m. Final score: Portland 6, Rochester 3. Back after the game with some quotes.

POSTGAME THOUGHTS

Ennis is the real deal. He looks like a young Derek Roy and made some dazzling plays with the puck. I wouldn't expect to see him in Buffalo soon, though. He's got a lot of getting bigger and stronger to do before he can handle NHL defensemen. ... The attendance was simply disappointing, no other way to put it. ... The Gerbe injury sounds like a real concern. Portland's people are being awfully quiet about it. Two concussions in the span of a year is scary.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Mark Mancari:

On the win: "It was a really important win for us. We had a tough loss last night and obviously coming in and playing the No. 1 team in the league, it was a sign of good things to come."

On getting bounces: "Sometimes you get that when you're working hard and sometimes you don't. Tonight was one of those nights where we did the right things and the bounces came our way and it showed on the scoreboard."

On his line: "My line played well all around. We were moving the puck and I was able to find Philip there for the goal, so that made a big difference. Tonight was our first night, the three of us together. ... I though things went really well. We had a lot of communication and we knew where each other were."

Head coach Kevin Dineen

On Tyler Ennis: Tyler has been a guy who's not unlike Timmy Kennedy here last year. When I was looking to get a player going we seemed to put him on his [Kennedy's] wing and all of a sudden he's playing some pretty good hockey. [Ennis is also] not unsimilar in that both of them have never been natural centers, so he [Ennis] is working himself into that role and has probably been our top player to this point."

---Jay Skurski

MacArthur hit: worthy of discipline?

It appears the NHL will not suspend or fine the Sabres' Clarke MacArthur for his major boarding penalty against Edmonton's Liam Reddox. Would you?

---John Vogl

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Grier misses practice; no call for MacArthur

Sabres right wing Mike Grier, who injured his groin during the third period of Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Edmonton, stayed off the ice today while his teammates practiced in Amherst Pepsi Center. Grier is doubtful for Friday's game against Calgary in HSBC Arena.

"Mike is a little sore," coach Lindy Ruff said. "We don't anticipate it being too long, but he could miss a little time. He could. There's still a chance he could play tomorrow, too."

Patrick Kaleta practiced in Grier's place on the line with Tim Kennedy and Jochen Hecht, and the right winger would fill that role if Grier can't play. Adam Mair, waived earlier this week, would replace Kaleta on the fourth line with Paul Gaustad and Matt Ellis.

"Mike's been a great asset to our team, and hopefully he can go," Kaleta said. "If I'm called up to fill a bigger part, it's an opportunity for me and I'm going to try and do my best."

Goaltender Patrick Lalime, who missed four games with a groin injury, practiced fully with the Sabres and will serve as the backup Friday. The Sabres sent Jhonas Enroth back to Portland, and the second-year pro will stay with the Pirates following their game tonight against Rochester in the arena.

Meanwhile, it appears left wing Clarke MacArthur will escape further penalty for his boarding major against the Oilers' Liam Reddox. Neither MacArthur nor Ruff received a call from the NHL this morning regarding the hit, so a fine or suspension is unlikely.

"I don't even feel like I leaned on him that hard," MacArthur said. "He just went in so quick."

---John Vogl

Inside the NHL -- Live Chat

Inside the NHL -- Live Chat

Grier suffers groin strain

Sabres right wing Mike Grier left Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Edmonton with 12 minutes to play. Coach Lindy Ruff said Grier suffered a groin injury.

"We’re hoping that it’s not that serious," Ruff said. "I talked to him, and he felt that he didn’t think it was, but you never know with groins. We didn’t think our other guys were going to be that long, either. We’ll see how it is [Thursday]. That will be really the key day for us."

---John Vogl

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Live from Oilers at Sabres

It's General Managers Meetings South in HSBC Arena. The NHL bosses met in Toronto the past two days, and following the close of the sessions today a large number made the trek down the QEW to watch Sabres-Oilers tonight.

The only real "news" from the chats today -- which focused on head shots -- was they'll chat some more in March.

More following the drop of the puck.

6:57 p.m.: OK, more before the drop of the puck. The Sabres have just announced that Jim Lorentz and Joe Crozier will become the next members of the team's Hall of Fame.

FIRST PERIOD

7:10 p.m.: The usual fine Wednesday rendition of the anthems by Tara Minogue was accompanied by video of soldiers to honor Veterans' Day. Game on.

7:14 p.m.: Derek Roy nearly scores for the fourth straight game with 2:10 gone.

7:16 p.m.: Sabres have taken the first four shots with 3:15 gone.

7:18 p.m.: Oilers will get their chance at a few shots as Tim Kennedy departs for hooking with 15:53 to play.

7:21 p.m.: Sabres kill penalty and get the crowd buzzing by getting three great chances. First, Thomas Vanek's odd-man rush pass is broken up, but trailing Andrej Sekera forces Nikolai Khabibulin to make a glove stop. The rebound attempt bounces off Vanek and goes wide.

7:23 p.m.: All military edition of the Sabres' snapshots on the scoreboard during commercial break. There will be comments coming from Jason Pominville, Craig Rivet and Patrick Kaleta at some point, too. They filmed them Tuesday.

7:31 p.m.: Back-to-back quality shifts from the new top lines. The trio of Vanek-Tim Connolly-Drew Stafford dominate possession time in the Edmonton zone, and Clarke MacArthur-Roy-Jason Pominville immediately force Khabibulin to make a couple of stops. It's still no score with 7:16 to go, with Buffalo holding an 8-6 shot edge.

7:35 p.m.: A welcome for Petty Officer Adam Nethero, recipient of Chris Butler's Tickets for Troops program.

7:40 p.m.: Stafford scores his fifth of the season to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead with 4:29 to go. Connolly, from behind the net, fed Vanek in the slot. Stafford, positioned at the top of the crease, stopped Vanek's attempt but immediately backhanded a shot high into the twine.

7:43 p.m.: Sabres on power play as Sam Gagne trips Mike Grier with 2:14 left.

7:46 p.m.: End of period, with Sabres holding a 1-0 lead and 14-8 shot edge.

SECOND PERIOD

8:04 p.m.: The teams are back for more. And, apparently, so are you.

8:11 p.m.: Big save by Ryan Miller with six minutes gone gets the non-sellout crowd buzzing. Miller gets his blocker on Zack Stortini.

8:16 p.m.: Steve Montador scores his first as a Sabre, following up a blocked shot with a rifle one-timer. It's 2-0 Sabres with 12:26 to go.

8:21 p.m.: Thomas Vanek steps out of the penalty box, undresses Steve Staios near the Edmonton net, gets tripped, then heads back to the box for diving with 9:31 left. Staios also goes.

8:24 p.m.: Huge save by Miller with 7:55 to go. With Patrick O'Sullivan alone in front on an odd-man rush, Miller gets a glove on his blast, which sends the puck bouncing off the post.

8:31 p.m.: Miller looking sharp while going for his third shutout of year after a game off Saturday. He's got 20 saves with 4:12 to go.

8:32 p.m.: Fourth penalty of the period for Sabres, with Jochen Hecht nailed for hooking with 3:49 left.

8:33 p.m.: Make that five. It's a five-on-three for 1:23 as Paul Gaustad goes for interference.

8:35 p.m.: O'Sullivan won't be denied this time, making the score 2-1 with 2:11 to go as the crowd heartily boos. Miller stops Lubomir Visnovsky, but O'Sullivan buries a cross-ice pass from the faceoff circle with 22 seconds left in the two-man advantage.

8:38 p.m.: Penalties kill Sabres' momentum during the period, which ends with Buffalo in front, 2-1. Oilers take 14 of the 19 shots and hold 22-19 edge for game.

THIRD PERIOD

8:53 p.m: Crowd lets the officials have it with a chorus of boos as the stripes take the ice.

9:01 p.m.: Roy gives the Sabres a power play with 16:12 left. He gets Staios to turn his back with two dekes, then gets hooked while forcing Khabibulin to make a toe save.

9:03 p.m.: Vanek making a home in the box with another trip, this one coming with one second left in Staios' penalty.

9:07 p.m.: Mike Grier heads to dressing room with 11:57 to go. He was working on an apparent leg/groin injury at the end of the bench before making the hike.

9:11 p.m: Penalty on Ethan Moreau with 10:23 to go puts Buffalo on a power play.

9:16 p.m.: Sabres get second chance to put Oilers away on power play with 7:42 to go.

9:19 p.m.: Scary moment as MacArthur pushes Liam Reddox headfirst into the boards. Doctors on the ice.

9:21 p.m.: Reddox helped off while MacArthur gets five-minute major. A suspension could follow.

9:32 p.m.: Jochen Hecht scores into empty net with 18.3 seconds left to give Sabres a 3-2 win.

POSTGAME QUOTES

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff on MacArthur's hit: "It’s really just a hockey play. Clarke’s leaning on him, trying to get position, and his legs got tangled up. It’s a tough call. I understand why they called it because of how he went, but there’s no intent. There’s not running. He was just leaning on him trying to make sure he didn’t get the puck out of the zone."

Oilers coach Pat Quinn on the same hit, which left Reddox with a smacked head and swollen wrist: "He knew exactly what he was doing. He puts his elbow right on his head as he's falling. But the league? Who knows?"

Montador on the game: "It wasn’t the prettiest. We obviously took too many penalties. It’s too much of a strain to put on the guys that do play penalty kill to kill off that many, as well as keeping so many guys inactive sitting on the bench. But Millsie played great; you could say that basically every day. The killers were great. We got the goals when needed."

Montador on his goal: "I just saw it sitting there and teed it up. I’ve felt I’ve had a number of chances over the last 10, 12 games to bury, and I just haven’t picked the corners or picked the spots. But tonight it went in."

---John Vogl

Lalime practices

Goaltender Patrick Lalime, who has missed three games with a groin injury, skated with his Sabres teammates this morning for the first time since early last week. Coach Lindy Ruff said Lalime could be ready for a full practice Thursday.

"I felt good," Lalime said. "It was a nice first day really practicing, getting some shots, but I felt good. The first one you’re a little more careful maybe. You don’t want to make it happen again."

Lalime had no time table for his return but expected to get a better idea tonight when he meets with doctors while his team hosts the Oilers in HSBC Arena.

"We’ll assess all that stuff and what he thinks and how I felt," Lalime said. "We’ll know more in the next couple days for sure."

Toni Lydman will not play tonight because of his groin injury, while Adam Mair and Nathan Paetsch will be the scratches. Ryan Miller will start in goal.

---John Vogl

Hecht fighting to score

The Sabres host the Edmonton Oilers tonight in HSBC Arena, and Jochen Hecht faces his previous team with no goals in nine games. He's found the net just once in 14 games this season.

It's hardly from lack of effort. Hecht's 43 shots are tied with Drew Stafford for the team lead and rank 62nd in the NHL. He's scoring on just 2.3 percent of his shots, though, which ranks 467th — dead last among NHL goal scorers.

"They're due. They're going to come," Hecht said. "They've got to go in sooner or later."

What isn't like to come is another fight. According to HockeyFights.com, Hecht historically fights only every other year. After Saturday's tussle with Boston's Mark Stuart, he's fought in consecutive seasons for the first time in his career.

Here's a look at the last two, with Hecht's record 1-1 in the bouts. Vincent Lecavalier had quite the shiner after Hecht stunned him.

---John Vogl

Mair clears waivers, staying in Buffalo

Sabres forward Adam Mair was hoping to stay in Buffalo, and he got his wish. No teams claimed the 30-year-old off waivers, and coach Lindy Ruff said the Sabres will maintain the status quo with Mair serving as the 13th forward. The Sabres had the option of sending Mair to Portland of the American Hockey League, but they have decided to keep Mair in the NHL for now.

Below are the audio links from today's interviews in Amherst Pepsi Center. Mair said he feels he can still contribute to the team, while Ruff acknowledges the tough situation Mair is in. Ruff also talks about facing the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday in HSBC Arena.

---John Vogl

AdamMair

LindyRuff

Mair still in Buffalo

It's 23 1/2 hours into Adam Mair's waiver stay, and the Sabres forward is still with the team. He is practicing right now in Amherst Pepsi Center with only 30 minutes left for a team to claim him. We'll have an update on Mair's future after practice.

---John Vogl

Poll: Adam Mair and the Sabres

poll by twiigs.com

Sabres place Mair on waivers

Adam Mair, whose seven-season run in Buffalo is the second longest among Sabres forwards, may be in his final hours with the club.

General Manager Darcy Regier announced this afternoon that Mair has been placed on waivers. He will remain on the waiver wire until noon Tuesday, with the other 29 teams free to claim the forward.

"We’ve just got extra forwards, and he’s not playing," Regier said in HSBC Arena. "He’s in a contract year, and it’s an opportunity for him to hopefully get a chance elsewhere."

Regier said he tried trading the 30-year-old but could not find any takers. Because of the interest shown by teams during the talks, however, there's a chance Mair could be claimed.

"There’s interest, and I think people recognize that he’s an NHL player," Regier said. "The situation you get into is ... there’s a lot of players. I think teams have extra players signed. That will play in with whether or not he clears or gets picked up."

If Mair isn't claimed, the Sabres have two options. He and his $775,000 salary could be sent to the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League, or the Sabres could do nothing and keep him on the team. Mair has played just three games after playing 72 or more each of the past three seasons.

"If he goes unclaimed, we’ll make that decision tomorrow, but nothing may change, quite frankly," Regier said. "But again, we’ve made no decision on that, pending the noon tomorrow deadline."

Mair, who joined the Sabres for the 2002-03 season, trails only Tim Connolly in service time among forwards.

"It's not really surprising in a sense that I wasn't playing," Mair told The Buffalo News. "I understand that it's a business. For me, I guess it's just wait and see what the next 24 hours hold. It's something fresh and new in my career that I haven't been through. I'll just wait it out, and if I get claimed then I get an opportunity to go play somewhere, and if not I'll either stay here or go down and help Portland.

"I'd like to continue to help this team. If I can, that'd be great. This is where I want to be."

Regier said the waiver option has increased for teams this season because of the number of players under contract.

"If you’re trying to make adjustments on your team, it’s one way to try to do it," Regier said. "In our case, it’s just the number of forwards we have. We have a lot of forwards.

"It’s difficult," Regier added. "He’s a quality guy, and he’s been terrific through the process."

---John Vogl

Mair practicing with Sabres

The Sabres have just begun a rare afternoon practice -- likely scheduled because of a late night with Ryan Miller's Catwalk for Charity -- and Adam Mair is on the ice in HSBC Arena.

TSN's Bob McKenzie posted on his Twitter account that the Sabres have placed Mair on waivers. The 30-year-old forward has played just three games this season after playing 72 or more each of the past three seasons.

Mair is again working out as a spare forward on the fourth line, spelling either Paul Gaustad, Patrick Kaleta or Matt Ellis. More on Mair after we speak with coach Lindy Ruff.

Ruff has swapped centers on his top two lines for practice today. Tim Connolly is in the middle of left wing Thomas Vanek and right wing Drew Stafford. Derek Roy is being flanked by Clarke MacArthur and Jason Pominville.

---John Vogl

Bucky's thoughts on 'new' Lindy

Here is an excerpt from Bucky Gleason's column today about Lindy Ruff:

Just before the season, Lindy Ruff pulled his leaders aside and told them they needed to take over the Buffalo Sabres' dressing room. He made it clear that he was finished barking after every poor performance. This was their team, he told them, and taking ownership was their responsibility.

It was as if Ruff recognized that his style had grown stale, that he knew adjustments were required if his team was going to go anywhere. He has said numerous times this season that the Sabres' core is no longer a bunch of kids. They're pros who know what's needed to win and should be treated accordingly.

Ruff hasn't undergone a total makeover, but the shift in his approach has been obvious all year.

Of course, it's easy to take a lighter approach when everything is going well. The Sabres had a great start to the season, but they were dreadful in losses to the Flyers and Bruins over the weekend. It was their first true test, and they failed.

You know what they received for their listless efforts? The day off Sunday and time to sleep in today.

In past years, his players would have begged for a punishing skate rather than endure Ruff's torturous video reviews. He was notorious for tearing down his players in meetings in an effort to drill his message into their heads.

His style works for young players, but it can become tiresome and suffocating for veterans who have been around for several years. After a while, they become bored with the messenger and stop listening to the message.

Ruff is the longest-tenured coach in the league. You don't spend that much time in one place without alienating a few players along the way. Ruff is both a good coach and the right coach for Buffalo. Funny, but staying here has actually forced him to become a better coach.

Live from Sabres at Bruins

BOSTON -- Rookie goaltender Jhonas Enroth made his NHL debut tonight against the Bruins with Ryan Miller taking a break after the Sabres' 5-2 debacle against the Flyers.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said before the game that he decided last Monday to play his backup against the Bruins whether it was veteran Patrick Lalime or the 21-year-old Enroth. Lalime is still suffering from a groin injury. Ruff decided to stick with his plan and play the former second-round pick.

Enroth's first game was against a Bruins team that scored only one goal in their previous three games while suffering through a drought that lasted 192 minutes, six seconds. He was matched against Bruins backup Tuukka Rask in a battle of backups. 

So much for a matchup between Ryan Miller and Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas, the two leading candidates to play goal for the U.S. Olympic team. At least the two backups offer some international flavor. Enroth is from Sweden while Rask from Finland, the two countries that played for the gold medal in 2006.

 --- Bucky Gleason

FIRST PERIOD

16:41 remaining: Enroth beaten on the first shot of his career. Mark Recchi deflects Derek Morris' shot from the point just under Enroth's arm with Paul Gaustad off for roughing. It's not the start the kid wanted to his first professional game, but it's a difficult shot to stop.

12:36: The Bruins kill off bench minor for too many men on the ice. The Sabres produce no shots on the power play. The Sabres need to put much more pressure on Boston if they plan on scoring. The Bruins are making it look easy in the early going.

11:40: Pominville made a nice play to intercept a clearing pass in the left circle, but he negated the scoring chance when he missed the net while trying to pick the corner.

11:18: Chara dumped Myers after Big T took a run at Big Z.

9:36: Paille off for goaltender interference after running into Enroth.

8:16: Wideman sent to the box for holding Stafford in the corner, giving the Sabres a two-man advantage for 40 seconds. The Sabres need to do a better job getting pucks to the net. Of course, it doesn't help when they waste the first 20 seconds after losing the faceoff.

7:26: Paille jumps out of the penalty box and gets loose on a breakaway. Enroth makes a good pad save to prevent this game from getting out of hand early.

5:31: Montador and Thornton drop the gloves. Montador was attempting to inject some much-needed energy into his teammates, Thornton earns a decision.

3:29: Chara scores his first of the season on a slap shot through a screen with Grier off for tripping. Enroth never saw the puck with Recchi parked just outside the crease. The Bruins have scored both goal on the power play, which was 0 for 19 going over the previous six games.

0:00: End of period. Bruins 2, Sabres 0.

SECOND PERIOD

18:38: Bitz gives the Bruins a 3-0 lead after a communication breakdown between Enroth and Steve Montador, followed by a terrible clearing pass from Jason Pominville. Steve Begin steps into the passing lane and gets a shot on goal, and Bitz cleans up the mess with a shot into an open net.

17:13: Roy cuts the margin to 3-1 when he collects a bouncing puck in the slot and beats Rask. Craig Rivet made a good play just to get the puck toward the net from the blue line.

13:40: The Sabres are called for too many men on the ice. It's the last thing they needed after getting outshot, 20-10, to that point not to mention outplayed.

8:42: Marco Sturm is called for boarding after running Andrej Sekera into the wall.

2:44: Tallinder misses an open net after a scramble. A goal there would gave helped the Sabres regain some momentum going into the third.

1:42: Rask makes a good save on Roy. The Sabres are trying to apply more pressure.

1:29: Sturm gives the Bruins a 4-1 lead after Roy coughs up the puck in the neutral zone, loses a battle with Patrice Bergeron deep in the Buffalo zone and Sturm is left alone in the left circle. One-timer, goal.

0:00: End of second period. Bruins 4, Sabres 1.

THIRD PERIOD

17:18: Marchand is sent to the box for high sticking. The Sabres generate little on the power play, their fifth of the night.

13:16: Enroth makes a good glove save on Wheeler after he finds an open lane off the wing. It's the 28th save on 32 shots for the rookie. Rask has been tested 19 times.

9:22 Marchand back in the box for holding Tallinder behind the net.

8:55: Bergeron breaks free on another shorthanded breakaway before losing the puck. The Sabres PP is now scoreless in six opportunities.

6:00: Thornton finds himself in another fight, this time with Gaustad. Both players land a few punches before Thornton wrestles Gaustad to the ice. Draw. Thornton hits the showers after getting two minutes for roughing and five for fighting.

2:50: It's getting ugly. OK, it's getting uglier. Jochen Hecht and Mark Stuart square off with the Bruins defenseman landing several punches in a one-sided decision.

2:50: Chara is sent packing after slashing Kaleta and nailing the Sabres' pest with a right hand. Kaleta hits the showers, too, along with Tim Kennedy. Something against WNYers?

1:48: Pominville scores to make it somewhat interesting, but the damage is already done.

0:00: End of game. Bruins 4, Sabres 2.

 

Signs point to Enroth

If the Sabres' morning skate was any indication, rookie goalie Jhonas Enroth will make his NHL debut tonight against the Boston Bruins in TD Garden. The Bruins were expected to play backup Tuukka Rask, who shut out Edmonton a week ago in his last start.

Enroth, 21, worked out for only about 20 minutes this morning before retreating to the dressing room. He would have taken extra shots with his teammates if he was certain he would be warming the bench tonight. Ryan Miller did not practice this morning after giving up four goals in the 5-2 loss to Philadelphia on Friday night, so the Sabres were without a goalie for much of their pregame workout.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was not available this morning. Enroth offered little when asked about his prospects for tonight. Defenseman Toni Lydman asked the rookie if he was ready, another sign the kid was preparing for his first NHL game. The Sabres are playing their third game in four nights. They're playing a Bruins team that has scored one goal in three games over the past week.

Enroth had a 3-7-0 record with a 3.90 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage this season in Portland when he was promoted Nov. 4. He had a 26-23-6 record, a 2.75 GAA and a .914 save percentage last season in the AHL.

--- Bucky Gleason

Three Stars

poll by twiigs.com

Live from Flyers at Sabres

A bit of a surprise as the teams take the ice for the pregame skate. It has nothing to do with players and everything to do with uniforms.

For the first time this season (for the first time since the Winter Classic?) the Sabres are wearing white at home. The Flyers are in black instead of orange, but it's still better than white. I've always been a fan of the home team wearing white. This way, you'd get to see 29 different jerseys come through town. Instead, since the NHL adopted a "white on the road" policy, you get the same-looking opponent night after night.

The reason, by the way, for white on the road is to help the equipment managers. With the proliferation of third jerseys, the equipment guys were being forced to carry three sets of uniforms on the road because they never knew what the home team would wear. The Sabres, for example, used to wear red on Fridays, and if the Canadiens came to town with just their red road jerseys, there'd be some trouble on the ice.

And although I don't like white on the road, I can't be mad at the equipment guys. They are without a doubt the hardest-working men in hockey. The Sabres' guys will get to Boston tonight around 1 a.m., spend a few hours getting the dressing and training rooms ready, then be back at the arena by 8 a.m. to get ready for the players' arrival. And that's if they even leave the arena. They often just sleep there.

For the second time in two days, I get to post a brawl video. Showed the Ray Emery fight last night, and the Sabres had the Steve Shields-Garth Snow battle on the scoreboard before the teams came out. Since the folks in the arena shouldn't have all the fun, here you go. And stay with it till the end. Matthew Barnaby's act near the four-minute mark is priceless.

FIRST PERIOD

7:39 p.m.: Just 36 seconds into the game, we get a look at the league's best power play as Tim Kennedy goes off for cross-checking.

7:41 p.m.: No shots for the Flyers.

7:43 p.m.: Game's first shot is a big save by Emery, as Clarke MacArthur tips Craig Rivet's pass on net with 3:50 gone.

7:45 p.m.: Sabres get an early power play when David Laliberte goes off for slashing with 15:02 to go.

7:47 p.m.: Ryan Miller gets into the act, stopping Darroll Powe on a short-handed breakaway.

7:48 p.m.: Could be because it's the Flyers, but fans are into it a little more than usual so far. Two "Let's go, Buffalo" chants already that were unprompted by scoreboard messages or organ playing.

7:54 p.m.: Sabres get a break from the shoddy durability of sticks when Mike Richards' lumber, er composite, shatters on a point-blank slap shot with nine minutes to go.

7:59 p.m.: A second chance for Richards disappears when Kennedy hustles back and dives to stop a Richards breakaway with seven minutes to go. Still no score, shots are 7-5 for Buffalo.

8:01 p.m.: Miller comes up big again, stopping Matt Carle's chance on a cross-ice pass.

8:02 p.m.: Patrick Kaleta draws yet another stupid penalty, getting Arron Asham to retaliate with 4:20 to go. Personally, I would have called Kaleta for diving, too. It wasn't that hard of a hit, but the ref was mere feet away and bought it.

8:08 p.m.: Another goal under review, with Daniel Carcillo cross in front of Miller and tipping Braydon Coburn's high shot. Goal stands, and Flyers take a 1-0 lead with 1:21 to go.

8:11 p.m.: Teams head to dressing rooms with the Flyers holding a 1-0 lead and 11-9 shot edge.

SECOND PERIOD

8:30 p.m.: Here's a newsflash. Chris Pronger is pretty good. The superstar defenseman makes the score 2-0 just 28 seconds into the period, scoring on a high shot from the point that goes just under the crossbar.

8:32 p.m.: Asham hits the points with 17:40 to go. If the Sabres don't wake up -- Derek Roy just turned the puck over -- the Flyers have the ability to put them away in a hurry.

8:35 p.m.: Kaleta hits Ole-Kristian Tollefsen in the leg, starting a scrum with Richards with 16:08 to go.

8:38 p.m.: James van Riemsdyk goes off for holding the stick, giving the Sabres a four-on-three. They bury it. Jason Pominville fires a slap shot off the back boards, and Derek Roy gets the puck on the other side of the net and beats Emery to the post with 15:32 to go. It's 2-1.

8:40 p.m.: Tim Connolly gets assist on goal, giving him 300 career points.

8:49 p.m.: As with most Flyers-Sabres meetings, game is developing a bit of an edge. Daniel Carcillo is stiring things up for Philly, and he's finding willing opponents. Flyers going on a power play with 8:56 to go after penalty on Matt Ellis.

8:58 p.m.: Carcillo and Steve Montador make their way to the penalty boxes for cross-checking with 5:46 to go.

8:59 p.m.: van Riemsdyk makes it 3-1 with 5:05 to go on a goal Miller should have stopped. The Flyers forward slides the puck to the crease, and Miller tries to block but instead sends it through his pads.

9:06 p.m.: The Sabres limp to the dressing room, no one more so than Craig Rivet. The captain took a shot off the foot in the closing minutes and is in pain. The Flyers lead, 3-1, with a 25-17 shot edge.

THIRD PERIOD

9:24 p.m.: They're back, and so is Rivet.

9:28 p.m.: Miller lets in his worst goal of the season, a knuckler from Powe with just 2:34 gone. The soft but wobbly shot goes under Miller's arm when he tries to catch it.

9:40 p.m.: Tyler Myers' third goal of the season brings crowd to life. Rookie defenseman slides puck toward net and it ricochets off skate of Coburn past Emery with 9:26 to go.

9:51 p.m.: Sabres have topped double digits in shots in a period with 3:16 to go, but Emery looks strong with a two-goal lead.

10:21 p.m.: Just got back from interviews, and as you likely know by now, the Sabres lost, 5-2. No one will argue that the Flyers were the better team tonight.

---John Vogl

Sekera OK to play

Sabres defenseman Andrej Sekera, who missed Thursday's practice because of illness, returned for the morning skate today and will be in the lineup tonight when the Flyers visit HSBC Arena.

Ryan Miller will be in goal for the Sabres, with Ray Emery in the opposing crease. Adam Mair and Nathan Paetsch are expected to be scratched for the Sabres. Toni Lydman is injured.

---John Vogl

Offensive differences in Sabres-Flyers

It would be tough to find teams with more wildly different philosophies. The Sabres will take the HSBC Arena ice tonight intent on using all four lines equally. If the Flyers are going to score, it's usually two lines that are going to do it.

More than 86 percent of Philadelphia's forward production has come from its top six forwards. The fourth line has contributed only 4.2 percent. Meanwhile, the Sabres' four lines are chipping in at rates of 37 percent, 31.5 percent, 17.8 percent and 13.7 percent.

The offensive disparity can be traced to different financial plans. Since the salary cap was instituted, Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier has been a proponent of a balanced pay scale. The Flyers like high-priced stars and lower-paid complements. That said, those stars can take over a game, and usually do.

So, what's your preference? A handful of All-Star, Olympic-caliber players capable of scoring any shift surrounded by pluggers, or a group of relatively even units that still have talent up top?

---John Vogl

poll by twiigs.com

Emery returning, so it's video time

I've said it before and I'll say it again, whenever Ray Emery gets in the local news, this video will be here. Emery will start for the Flyers on Friday in HSBC Arena.

For the record, I could watch this every day. It's one of the four most memorable NHL games I've covered so far, joining Mark Messier's final game (in Madison Square Garden), the Winter Classic in Ralph Wilson Stadium and Marc-Andre Fleury's 55-save performance in Pittsburgh's triple-overtime, Game Five victory during the 2008 Stanley Cup finals.

---John Vogl

Flyers coach mentions those who must not be named

Philadelphia coach John Stevens, who visits HSBC Arena with the Flyers on Friday, broke a Buffalo taboo today while meeting with Philly reporters. He mentioned former Sabres co-captains Chris Drury and Daniel Briere while lauding the Buffalo offense. (Briere, by the way, is injured and won't be available for booing Friday.)

"When they let Briere and Drury go, I think they knew they had some young players that were up and coming and they were hoping would fill the void," said Stevens, who noted that Maxim Afinogenov and Ales Kotalik were not the answer before continuing his response. "They’ve certainly replaced them with some guys that can do some really good things offensively. [Thomas] Vanek has come about as an offensive star in the league.

"I think Buffalo has got one of the better offensive attacks in the league. I just think the way they attack -- three lanes, D are up in the attack all the time -- they really pressure you in the offensive zone.

"[Ryan] Miller has really proven to be one of the upper-echelon goalies in the league. I think the big change in Buffalo this year has been their ability to keep the puck out of their net. They’ve always been a good offensive team, but it seems they’re more committed to playing more defense now than they maybe were in the past. I think it’s showing in their record."

---John Vogl

Three Sabres miss practice

The Sabres, who had a meeting scheduled to discuss subtance abuse and league policies, held a short practice today following Wednesday's 3-0 victory over the Islanders. For three players, there wasn't even a short practice.

Defenseman Andrej Sekera was off the ice due to illness, while blue-liner Toni Lydman and goaltender Patrick Lalime stayed away because of groin injuries.

Lalime and Lydman will not play Friday when the Flyers visit HSBC Arena, while Sekera is questionable.

"We'll see how he's doing tomorrow," coach Lindy Ruff said. "He was a little under the weather after the game last night and wasn't feeling that well this morning. Flu-like, possibly. Maybe not like the other guys [Patrick Kaleta and Paul Gaustad were too sick to travel to New York over the weekend], but you've got to let it run its course."

There is no time table for the return of Lalime, meaning Jhonas Enroth could make his first NHL start this weekend. The Sabres travel to Boston on Saturday.

"[Lalime] still isn't, obviously, ready, so that pushes Jhonas into a bigger role for us," Ruff said.

Lydman had been participating in most drills with his teammates, but the Sabres are now taking a different approach with the defenseman, who has missed the past five games.

"Toni we've decided just to rest for a couple days," Ruff said. "He's close, but the doctors felt with maybe a couple days' rest and then going back and skating, it might be a better approach than fatiguing it on a continuous, day-to-day type scenario."

---John Vogl

Inside the NHL -- Live Chat

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Live from Islanders at Sabres

Didn't I just see these teams? Twice?

This is the third meeting in 20 days between the teams, who aren't even in the same division. In fact, after tonight the Sabres will have played the Isles more times than their Northeast Division rivals combined (they faced Toronto and Montreal once).

Martin Biron is back in net for the Isles after shutting out the Sabres on Saturday, while Ryan Miller looks for redemption after getting pulled in the second period of the 5-0 loss. Jhonas Enroth is backing up Miller with Patrick Lalime sidelined by a groin injury.

Once again, I'm a fan of the arena audio personnel, who started the night with Pearl Jam, added in the Foo Fighters (whose Greatest Hits album is out) and just played the Black Eyed Peas. Tonight's gonna be a good night, indeed.

Well, maybe not for Nathan Paetsch, Adam Mair and Toni Lydman. They are scratched for the Sabres.

FIRST PERIOD

7:08 p.m.: Looks like the smallest crowd of the season has gathered, with half-sections empty in the corners. Game on.

7:15 p.m.: Feel bad for the folks who had to wait for the whistle to get to their seats. It didn't come until 6:36 had elapsed. Lots of time gone, not much action. Teams are a little off with their passing, resulting in neutral-zone play.

7:16 p.m.: One of the best rules is the one that forces a team to keep its players in the game if they ice the puck. It always generates more offense, as just happened with the Sabres getting a few chances on Biron. No score, with 12:25 to go.

7:22 p.m.: I wish my predictions about meeting good-looking women and making money came true as often as my hockey predictions. As I guessed Monday, Derek Roy scored his first of the season tonight. The power-play goal came with 11:33 gone to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead. Thomas Vanek screened Biron, and Roy ripped a high shot just inside the post.

7:25 p.m.: Biron gets the crowd buzzing by leaving the crease to go after Patrick Kaleta. Kaleta got dropped near the New York bench, then made a beeline for Frans Nielsen. Kaleta hit the center into Biron, and the goalie went after Kaleta and wrapped him up until the officials sent Kaleta to the box with 8:50 left.

7:30 p.m.: Action is picking up after a slow start. Islanders have an 8-6 shot advantage with 5:56 to go.

7:37 p.m.: Sabres have a five-on-three for 27 seconds.

7:41 p.m.: First period ends with the Sabres holding a 1-0 lead and 14-8 shot advantage. Isles kill their run of penalties, though they get help when Craig Rivet shoots wide with Biron down.

7:50 p.m.: Was just handed my copy of the Sabres' 2009-10 yearbook by media relations guru Kevin Snow, who says fans can get their copies now for $10.

SECOND PERIOD

7:59 p.m.: Songs by Miley Cyrus and Nickelback fade out as the second period starts.

8:02 p.m.: Three shots by the Sabres and one song by Guns N' Roses with three minutes gone.

8:07 p.m.: The Sabres have a 9-2 shot edge with 13:18 to go, and it could be more if Jochen Hecht and Vanek hadn't fired wide from close range.

8:12 p.m.: Andrej Sekera's cross-check gives the Isles the power play with 11:56 left.

8:15 p.m.: Ryan Miller stops Josh Bailey then getes help when Doug Weight shoots wide. Sekera gets the puck coming out of the box and forces Biron to make a tough stop with 9:45 to go.

8:22 p.m.: Vanek skates between two Islanders defenders to set up Drew Stafford, but the right winger can't connect with 5:52 left. Still 1-0 Sabres.

8:29 p.m.: Sabres Edge legend Sean Bergenheim helps Buffalo take a 2-0 lead on the power play with 2:47 to go. Stafford sends a no-look pass through the crease to Vanek, who misses it. Bergenheim, though, bounces the puck off Biron's pad while rushing to help, and Vanek doesn't miss the rebound.

8:33 p.m.: End of an impressive second period for the Sabres, who have a 2-0 lead and 29-15 shot edge.

8:36 p.m.: Kudos now to both the video and audio folks. The World Series is on the scoreboard during intermission.

THIRD PERIOD

8:50 p.m.: The World Series is off because the hockey game is back on.

9 p.m.: The Isles are the better team through the first 6:26 of the third, holding a 6-0 shot edge. Miller still has his shutout going.

9:19 p.m.: It's soon to be determined if the Sabres have a 3-0 lead. Paul Gaustad may have slid the puck over the goal line during a scrum, and the refs are reviewing the video with 3:41 to go.

9:23 p.m.: Goal by Gaustad. The Sabres have a 3-0 lead and are on their way to a 9-2-1 record. Shots are 10-9 in Sabres' edge after slow start.

9:27 p.m.: Sabres win, with the teams scuffling in the corner with 7.3 seconds to go. That's what happens with three meetings in such a short period of time.

---John Vogl

Kalinin at home in Russia

Dmitri Kalinin, the longtime Sabres defenseman, seems to have found his niche in his Russian homeland. The defenseman, who now goes by "Dmitry," has been named the Kontinental Hockey League Defenseman of the Month for October.

Kalinin had seven goals, three assists and was plus-10 in 12 games for Salavat Yulaev Ufa. That month topped many of his seasons in Buffalo.

---John Vogl

Martin Biron in his own words, Part 2

Martin Biron is back in Buffalo for the second time this season, only this time he'll be making the start instead of Dwayne Roloson. Here's the audio following the morning skate, with Biron chatting about getting his first win with the Islanders, the ovation he got from Buffalo fans when he replaced Roli in the previous matchup and his upcoming addition to the family.

---John Vogl

MartinBiron

Lalime hurt, Enroth called up

Sabres goaltender Patrick Lalime has suffered a groin injury, forcing the team to recall second-year netminder Jhonas Enroth from Portland.

Lalime was injured during Monday's practice and though he was in HSBC Arena on Tuesday, he was unable to skate.

"It didn't come around," coach Lindy Ruff said this morning. "It's actually the first time he's ever had some type of groin strain. You never know with groins. We hope it's not long. It depends on how it responds."

Lalime has appeared in just two games this season. He is 0-1 with a 4.14 goals-against average and .854 save percentage. He stopped 12 of 14 shots after replacing Ryan Miller in the second period of Saturday's 5-0 loss to the New York Islanders, who visit the arena tonight.

Enroth, in his second pro season, is 3-7 with the Pirates, recording a 3.90 GAA and .872 save percentage.

"He struggled the first part, the last few games he's played well,'' Ruff said. "If he's here for any length of time, he's going to have to play.

"We're going to stick to the program. By the weekend, if Patty isn't ready to play, there's a good chance Jhonas would play."

---John Vogl

Players back, but a coach down

The flu bug that recently struck the Sabres' lineup has been temporarily exterminated, but an injury hit the coaching staff today.

Associate coach Brian McCutcheon was hit in the head with a shot during practice in HSBC Arena. He needed stitches to close the wound.

"He suffered a pretty big cut on the head," coach Lindy Ruff said. "I think he'll be OK.

"He's one tough coach. It hit him hard."

The Sabres did extensive power-play work in an effort to boost a unit that ranks tied for 21st in the NHL at 16.7 percent. They finally had nearly everyone available to work with the man-advantage and short-handed sides.

Patrick Kaleta, who had been absent since becoming ill during Friday's game against Toronto, returned today. Jason Pominville was on the ice after taking one day off to attend the birth of his son, Jayden John. Paul Gaustad (who missed two games because of the flu) came back Monday.

Only Toni Lydman, who is slowed by a groin strain, failed to participate in all the drills. He is doubtful for Wednesday's visit by the New York Islanders.

"We've got a couple players back," Ruff said. "You don't know strength-wise where they're at. They haven't practiced for three, four days. Some of the players' families are dealing with it at the same time.

"Today we knew that we didn't have anybody new that was sick, and the guys that were are on the mend."

While Ruff didn't say the ill players had H1N1 -- the swine flu -- he said it was probable to assume that.

"I think everybody presumes now that anytime you've got the flu it is [swine flu], so I think you just presume that,'' he said.

---John Vogl

Roy and Vanek

Derek Roy's mind-set is simple: If there's a two-on-one with Thomas Vanek, the left winger is likely to find a way to score. So Roy is passing him the puck nearly every time.

Problem is, it's not working. The odd-man rushes are often fading away without a shot by anyone.

"Thomas is a 40-goal scorer," Roy said. "It's hard not to pass because he's always in position. He's all ready to one-time it or get in position to score a goal, and that's why he's so good at what he does."

Roy, a 30-goal scorer, has yet to find the net. Prediction: He will Wednesday; he seems to respond every time someone brings up one of his droughts to him. Not sure if it will be on an odd-man rush, though. Vanek is a very tempting target.

"That’s a great excuse [for not shooting]," coach Lindy Ruff admitted.

---John Vogl

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Lindy after practice

The reason Jason Pominville didn't skate today?

"The population of Pominville went up, so he had the day off," said coach Lindy Ruff, referring to a baby for Pominville and his wife.

Meanwhile, Patrick Kaleta should be back for Wednesday's visit from the Islanders. Here is the rest of the audio from Ruff's news conference.

---John Vogl

LindyRuff

Back at the rink

The Sabres, who took Sunday off, are back on the ice at HSBC Arena. Well, most of them, anyway.

Patrick Kaleta is still absent because of illness, while Jason Pominville isn't skating, either. The reason for that after Lindy Ruff's comments following practice.

Until then, here's a quick look around the NHL:

*Bucky Gleason catches up with Gerry Cheevers on the 50th anniversary of the first goalie mask.

*The Hurricanes have lost nine straight games, giving them their worst start after 13 games in franchise history.

*Alex Ovechkin is hurting, while Toronto's Phil Kessel is healthy.

*The Islanders' Jeff Tambellini, fresh off a hat trick against the Sabres, gets to play against the Oilers, the team run by his dad, Steve.

*Speaking of fathers, the Blackhawks are taking their dads on the road.

*Brad May got clipped in the eye with a stick but should be OK.

---John Vogl

Live from Sabres at Islanders

UNIONDALE, L.I. -- Greetings from Nassau Coliseum, where coach Lindy Ruff feels better because some of his players do. The Sabres will still be without a couple of players, though.

As guessed earlier today, Patrick Kaleta was indeed too ill to make the trip to Long Island. He and Paul Gaustad stayed home and won't face the Islanders. On the bright side for Ruff and the Sabres, linemates Tim Kennedy and Jochen Hecht -- who weren't well enough to start the second period against Toronto -- are feeling better today. They will play.

In a bit of surprise, it appears Ryan Miller may, too. The goaltender is on a roll, and Ruff hinted that the netminder will get his 10th start in the season's 11th game.

PREGAME

5:50 p.m.: So, Happy Halloween, long one of my favorite holidays. Never thought I'd be spending one in Uniondale, but oh well.

The Isles have decked the halls with webs and pumpkins, and costumed staffers are handing out treats to kids who are wandering the concourses with bags and baskets. It was a similar sight on Manhattan, where I spent the afternoon. It was pretty cool to see all the dressed-up kids walking into the local laundromats and art galleries and such to get chocolate. Of course, it also was really weird to see the tykes wander into the porn shop on 10th Avenue to get some candy. At least that's what I hope the store was giving away.

Anyway, while Manahattan is cool on October 31, so far it's definitely not Tampa Bay. Got to spend "Guavaween" there once (last year, maybe?), and it's an amazing party.

Speaking of parties, the five boroughs are getting ready for the New York City Marathon on Sunday morning. I ran the route as part of my day. I only ran about 10 feet, but I ran it nonetheless. Better than nothing; I usually only run if someone is chasing me.

The Big Apple is one of my favorite towns because neither of us use the night to sleep. I also like it because there's always something new to see. Today, I stumbled upon The Dakota, where John Lennon was shot.

Meanwhile, if it's Saturday, it must be bar-b-que. I previously hit Jack's in Nashville and the Harbor Club in HSBC Arena, and today featured lunch at Virgil's. As usual, the brisket and pulled pork were great, as were the cheese grits and Georgia pecan rice.

While Jack's was a first-time stop a few weeks back, I've been to Virgil's several times. Former Sabres writing mate Tim Graham and I used to go there, so I texted him hello while eating. Turns out, he was on his way to town to cover the Dolphins-Jets game Sunday. So, without further ado, I'm off to write the notebook for Sunday's paper so he and I can meet up for a soda or 10 as soon as possible.

6:29 p.m.: It's official. The goaltending matchup is Miller versus Martin Biron.

FIRST PERIOD

7:09 p.m.: The Sabres start the game with a fourth line of Nathan Paetsch-Matt Ellis-Adam Mair.

7:10 p.m.: The next line is Jochen Hecht-Tim Kennedy-Mike Grier. Cheap Plug Alert: The notebook leads with Kennedy and his faceoff schooling.

7:11 p.m.: They are followed by Clarke MacArthur-Tim Connolly-Jason Pominville, and Thomas Vanek-Derek Roy-Drew Stafford.

7:13 p.m.: Andrej Sekera is back after a seven-game absence and is paired on the blue line with Steve Montador.

7:19 p.m.: First TV timeout with 12:07 left. The Sabres have an 8-0 shot advantage, including four on a too-many-men penalty. Vanek missed a tap-in at the side of the net on a nice pass by MacArthur.

The Islanders' Ice Girls have orange wigs and one-piece orange short skirts, as this break and my earlier wanderings show.

7:24 p.m.: Isles come to life, but Miller stops partial breakaway by Sabres Edge legend Sean Bergenheim with 9:17 to go.

Standing ovation for Commander Michael Hoblin of the military.

7:29 p.m.: Craig Rivet and Tim Jackman, who interferred with Miller in the first meeting, drop the gloves. But Grier and the linesman grab Jackman before punches are thrown. Rivet and Jackman still go for roughing with 6:57 to go.

7:32 p.m.: Vanek misses another chance. Montador feeds him for an open net, but defenseman Radek Martinek blocks the goal with his foot. Just seconds prior, a nice drive by Hecht results in penalty by Martinek with 5:09 to go.

7:38 p.m.: Tyler Myers is struggling. He gives the puck away to Richard Park, and Park rips a shot past Miller's glove to give New York a 1-0 lead with 2:47 to go.

7:40 p.m.: By the way, the combined crowds for Wednesday's Devils game and tonight's Isles game would not add up to one Rangers game.

7:42 p.m.: End of one, Isles with a 1-0 lead. Sabres have a 14-9 shot edge and will have 1:04 of power-play time to start the second after a delay of game call on Kyle Okposo.

SECOND PERIOD

8:01 p.m.: Sabres start the second the way they played most of the first: shooting and watching Biron make a save.

8:05 p.m.: Jackman fights this time, with Montador as the opponent. Lots of lefts thrown by the Sabres defenseman, but none connect with 16:56 to go.

8:10 p.m.: Roy does a nice spin move to get open with 14:14 left, then doesn't shoot. He's still looking for his first goal. He was averaging 2.5 shots per game entering tonight.

8:15 p.m.: Paetsch goes off in pain after slash from Josh Bailey with 12:53 to go.

8:18 p.m.: After allowing no shots on the penalty kill, the Isles take a 2-0 lead with 10:44 left. Jeff Tambellini sneaks one past Miller off the goalie's left arm after Bergenheim threw the puck to the net.

8:23 p.m.: Bergenheim hits the post with 8:10 left.

8:24 p.m.: Tambellini hits the net. Doug Weight goes around the net to feed the winger for a one-timer from the left circle with 7:40 to go, and that's all for Miller. Patrick Lalime comes in with the Sabres down 3-0 and holding a 21-16 edge in shots.

8:27 p.m.: Biron, by the way, is 6-2-1 against his former team, with one shutout.

8:29 p.m.: The Isles' second shot on Lalime makes the score 4-0. Bailey rips a high, glove-side shot from the slot with 4:40 to go.

8:41 p.m.: Period comes to a close with Islanders holding a 4-0 lead. Sabres' shot edge is 26-20. Looks like there won't be an overtime to interrupt the gathering between Tim Graham and I.

8:51 p.m.: Attendance has just been announced at 8,889.

THIRD PERIOD

8:58 p.m.: Two minutes gone, and Lalime is feeling ornery. He's taken swipes at two Islanders already.

9:05 p.m.: The score is still 4-0 with 13:56 to go. Barring an unreal comeback, the following things will happen with a loss:

*Sabres will fall to 4-1 on road.

*Miller will lose for first time in regulation, falling to 8-1-1.

*The team's four-game winning streak will end.

9:10 p.m.: "Mar-ty, Mar-ty" as Biron makes his 30th save of the night.

9:23 p.m.: The boards are rattling, with each team out to make a physical statement. With 4:35 to go, Rivet made his, starting a fight with Andy Sutton and earning a decision.

9:25 p.m.: Here come the hats! Here come the hats! Tambellini scores on the instigator-induced power play with 4:18 to go.

9:32 p.m.: Doug Weight gets penalty shot with 13 seconds left after slash from behind by Chris Butler. Weight crashed into end boards after tripping on Lalime's blocker. Save by Lalime on the penalty shot. It's over, 5-0 Isles.

POSTGAME

Ruff: "The only thing you can be disappointed with is we didn’t take advantage of the offense. We did a lot of good things. We just didn’t score, and Marty played well."

Miller: "They get three on me, and normally you like to stay in, but I think 3-0 at that point Lindy wants to get a different kind of look to the game."

Miller on the second goal: "I think he goes elbow, post, elbow, in. It’s one of those kind of nights where it just didn’t shake out."

Biron, who won his 200th game and first with the Islanders: "It’s great. I’ve felt like I’ve been getting better after each game and slowly getting the way I want to play. It’s good to give the guys a bit of a confidence boost."

Vanek: "This one falls on me. I’m the goal scorer here, and I could have put the Islanders away in the first period myself, and I didn’t. From that end, it’s disappointing. I’ve got to be better. I’ve got to put those away. It’s my job, and I didn’t do it. It cost us the game."

---John Vogl

So long, Spectrum

PHILADELPHIA -- After heading into the lot at Citizens Bank Park for tonight's World Series game, I snapped this shot of the old Spectrum next door (left). The final event in the 42-year-old building is tonight, a concert from Pearl Jam. After that, the former home of the Flyers and 76ers -- and the Sabres' former house of horrors from their early seasons -- is getting demolished for a series of shops and restaurants that's been dubbed Philly Live.

Comcast Spectator, the building's owners, has a fabulous Web site at Rememberthespectrum.com. It includes all kinds of trivia, notes, photos and the like. Worth a look. There was also a "Final Stroll" through the Spectrum last week for fans.  The Sabres, you may recall, didn't win a single game in the building until November of 1976, their seventh season in the league. They lost all three games of the 1975 Stanley Cup finals there -- and the great team featuring the French Connection scored just one goal in all three of those games!

Here's a video from the stroll featuring a chat with Flyers goaltender Bernie Parent, the Conn Smythe winner who stoned the Sabres in those games. Here's another one that includes a chat with  Bob "The Hound"  Kelly, who scored the Cup-winning goal at the Aud in '75.

As for this year's Flyers, Daniel Briere is sitting out today's game against Carolina with another groin injury. The Sabres will see the Flyers three times in November as their schedule gets dramatically tougher.

At 8-1-1 heading into tonight's game on Long Island, the Sabres have picked up 17 of their first 20 possible points. Don't mean to gloat but perhaps you recall that I pegged them for 19 of their first 24 in our preview section story on how they can make the playoffs. So if they merely split this home-and-home with the Islanders, which you would think would be the worst they would do, I'll be right on.

Then, of course, it gets a little more serious. The November schedule includes the Flyers (three times), Bruins (twice) and single games against the Capitals, Flames, Oilers and Senators.

OK. Back to baseball for me. And while you're watching the Sabres and Islanders -- and especially after the final buzzer -- stop on over to the Inside Pitch blog to check in what's going on with the Yankees and Phillies before, during and after Game Three. Time for another cheesesteak run.

---Mike Harrington

(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)

No morning skate for Sabres

ASTORIA -- The Sabres usually don't take a morning skate on the second day of back-to-back games, and they were quick to cancel today's outing. Several players are ill. Coach Lindy Ruff said he expects the energy level to be low tonight against the Islanders, so no reason to skate this morning.

We'll find out this evening who will be able to play (Paul Gaustad has already been ruled out), but it wouldn't be a surprise if Patrick Kaleta is among the ill. He was skipped on the first shift of Friday's 3-2 overtime victory over Toronto and played just one shift in the third period. Fellow linemates Adam Mair and Matt Ellis played just two in the final period; that may be because Ruff didn't want to break up any other lines.

As Bucky Gleason wrote, Ryan Miller was the reason the Sabres won Friday. The NHL stats have been updated for the day, and Miller remains at the top in goals-against average and save percentage.

---John Vogl

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Live from Leafs at Sabres

Greetings from HSBC Arena, where the crowd gets a rise as the Canadian national anthem starts. Lots of Maple Leafs fans, and lots of empty seats in the corners of the 300 level.

No Paul Gaustad tonight for the Sabres, as he's out with flu-like symptoms. Lee Stempniak starting for the Leafs, and be sure to read his introduction to the Sabres' variable pricing plan in Saturday's notebook. Tim Kennedy starting for Sabres, and with Patrick Kaleta on bench, Bucky Gleason and I figure this must be the first time three local boys have all played in the same game downtown.

FIRST PERIOD

7:38 p.m: Game on. First "Go, Leafs, Go."

7:44 p.m.: First penalties are a pair of roughing calls with 3:46 gone to Kennedy and Ian White. It's a four-on-four, and the Sabres have put two shots on Jonas Gustavsson. "The Monster" from Sweden is making his first appearance in Buffalo.

7:47 p.m.: "Go, Leafs, Go" gains momentum, and the Buffalo fans respond with "boooo." Really? That's all you've got? I've always hated that. Why not try cheering louder than the Leafs backers rather than just booing? Might make the atmosphere more exciting.

7:48 p.m.: "Let's Go Buffalo" gets some calls.

7:52 p.m: First power play of the night goes to the Leafs, who have the best PP in the league. Craig Rivet is off for slashing with 11:30 left.

7:55 p.m.: Sabres kill the penalty with ease.

8:03 p.m.: Sabres get their first man advantage as Tomas Kaberle gets whistled for hooking with 6:03 to go. The shots are 6-4 in Toronto's favor.

8:04 p.m.: Now that's a really high-stick. Stempniak clips 6-foot-8 Tyler Myers to give Buffalo a 5-on-3.

8:05 p.m.: Just 13 seconds later, the Sabres take a 1-0 lead. Gustavsson stops Tim Connolly's shot, but Drew Stafford sends home the rebound with 4:49 to go.

8:06 p.m.: Another five-on-three, this time for 1:04 as Rickard Wallin gets tripping call with 4:06 left. Sabres call timeout to regroup.

8:09 p.m.: Sabres misfire, then Stafford takes high-sticking call with four seconds left in two-man advantage.

8:12 p.m.: Leafs tied the game at 1-1 with goal by Ian White. Alexei Ponikarovsky was parked in front when White fired high from the right circle with 1:07 left.

8:15 p.m.: End of one, 1-1. Leafs have 9-7 shot edge.

SECOND PERIOD

8:33 p.m.: And we're off...

8:36 p.m.: Colton Orr becomes the latest victim to retaliate against Kaleta and get a penalty, going to the box with 16:31 left.

8:38 p.m.: Ryan Miller stops Stempniak on short-handed breakaway with 16:03 to go.

8:40 p.m.: Sabres get chances, but no goal on long shift by Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy and Tyler Myers.

8:45 p.m.: The Monster stops Clarke MacArthur on breakaway with 12:03 left after Chris Butler sends pass to the winger.

8:49 p.m.: Great plays by Jason Pominville set up Tim Connolly for breakaway goal to give Sabres a 2-1 lead with 9:21 left. First, Pominville intercepts a cross-ice pass in his defensive zone. Then he sends a long pass to hit Connolly in stride at the far blue line, and Connolly scores his third of the season stickside.

8:57 p.m.: After sluggish affair early, chances and hitting picking up. Adam Mair and Kaleta rattle boards for Sabres, while Garnet Exelby flattens Kaleta with 5:38 to go. It's still 2-1, with Sabres holding a 19-15 shot edge.

9:06 p.m.: Miller makes stop on Francois Beauchemin at the buzzer to preserve the Sabres' 2-1 lead at the end of two. Sabres hold a 21-19 edge in shots.

THIRD PERIOD

9:24 p.m.: Just 22 seconds into the period, Myers goes off for hooking to give Toronto a fresh-ice power play.

9:27 p.m.: Ponikarovsky hits the post.

9:30 p.m.: Miller has been the best player on the ice tonight, with 24 saves through 44 minutes.

9:34 p.m.: Miller makes pad save on Stempniak with 14:20 to play. The shots are 9-0 this period so far.

9:35 p.m.: Leafs get another power play as Myers goes for holding with 13:33 left. Leafs are dominating everyone on Sabres with one exception -- Miller.

9:40 p.m.: Miller kills the penalty. There's 10 minutes left, and Toronto has a 13-1 shot advantage this period.

9:44 p.m.: Old friend Wayne Primeau goes off for tripping with 8:56 left, slowing the Leafs' momentum -- maybe.

9:58 p.m.: Mikhail Grabovksi sends the arena into bedlam with 37.3 seconds left, crossing in front and tipping a shot past Miller. The play is under review.

9:59 p.m.: Goal. Shots are 15-5.

10:32 p.m.; Sabres win in overtime on slap shot by Connolly.

POSTGAME

Connolly: "That’s a huge win for us. We’ve been playing really well and outshooting teams, and they came out, played real well and had momentum for most of the game. I think that’s our best win of the year, just being able to pull through when things aren’t going so well."

Chris Butler on Miller: "He was there for us again, but I don’t think we can get to the point where we have to rely on him to make a lot of spectacular saves every night. That’s just not fair to him."

Coach Lindy Ruff, who said Nathan Paetsch will likely play forward Saturday against the Islanders and Andrej Sekera will come off the injured list because several players are ill: "Other teams have got to go through it, and we’re going to have to just go through it.

"We’re going to have to hang in real tough and play a tough, gritty game [tonight] to come out with points because right now I don’t like where the energy level is on the team."

---John Vogl

NHLPA mess continues

Who's running the NHL Players' Association these days? Who knows.

Interim Executive Director Ian Penny has resigned, less than two months after the PA fired leader Paul Kelly. Some player reps reportedly have been upset with Penny about the Kelly debacle.

---John Vogl