Sabres Edge

The Sabres are on the ice for an early practice in First Niagara Center before heading to Florida and coach Lindy Ruff, as per usual, has some of his lines jazzed up to try to spark more offense.

The red-hot Tyler Ennis line, flanked by Marcus Foligno and Drew Stafford, remains together.  The struggling Vanek-Roy-Pominville trio has been broken up. 

Roy and Pominville now have Corey Tropp on left wing, giving them a solid grinder to play with. Vanek is back on right wing with Ville Leino and Cody Hodgson. Brad Boyes is centering Cody McCormick and Patrick Kaleta.

Nathan Gerbe (upper body) is missing from the practice.  On defense, Andrej Sekera is playing on the extra pair with Tyler Myers but Ruff was hopeful on Wednesday Sekera would play this weekend. McNabb-Weber, Regehr-Leopold and Ehrhoff-Sulzer stay together.

More after practice.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

The Sabres are off today and return to the ice at 10 a.m. Friday before heading to Florida. The big story in the NHL tonight is the return of Sidney Crosby as the Penguins play the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, but there's some breaking news this morning out of Washington that could have a huge impact on the playoff race.

Caps star Alex Ovechkin has left practice early after a collision with teammate Mike Knuble. There's no word yet on the nature of his injury but the Washington Times is reporting Ovechkin was on the ice for about two minutes being attended to by trainers before moving to the bench and eventually leaving.

Ovechkin has 29 goals and 24 assists in 66 games, quite a down year for him. But he's been heating up lately as the Caps have won four straight to seize a three-point lead over the Sabres in the battle for eighth. Washington has four straight road toughies coming up, starting Friday in Winnipeg and moving on to Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia, so the Caps certainly need the No Longer Great Eight in the lineup.

Here's the 1 p.m. update:

The Washington Post says Ovechkin is OK  and making the trip and did not suffer any kind of head injury. The Caps are also looking forward to the return of Nicklas Backstrom.

Meanwhile, Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times has a similar report but also points out the Caps were far from truthful about Ovechkin's status last  month, when an "equipment issue"  suddenly became an upper-body injury.

So Ovechkin bears watching during the Caps' road trip, both for his play and his health.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)

The free agency buzz in Buffalo is off the charts thanks to the Bills' courtship of Mario Williams, the prize defensive player on the NFL market. Fans are grasping at every bit of news and juicy rumor hoping to get confirmation Williams is in Buffalo to stay.

It got me thinking of the last time free agency gripped the region. The summer of 2007 came immediately to mind. The Sabres had two stars (Chris Drury and Daniel Briere) and a star-to-be (Thomas Vanek) headed toward the market.

As fans no doubt recall, the Sabres elected not to keep Briere and Drury. Their departures forced Buffalo to match Edmonton's seven-year, $50 million offer sheet to Vanek.

What if they didn't need to keep Vanek? Well, they would have gotten four first-round picks from the Oilers.

In 2008, that would have meant Buffalo owned the 12th (which originally belonged to Edmonton) and 13th picks in the draft. The Sabres moved up from 13th to 12th (and gave up a third-rounder in the process) to select Tyler Myers. Defenseman Colton Teubert went 13th to Los Angeles, but with Myers already on board the Sabres could have picked a forward.

The Oilers selected Jordan Eberle with the 22nd pick, so that would have worked out OK. He has 48 goals and 108 points in 134 games.

Now, with Vanek in Edmonton, there's no telling if the Oilers would have been as bad a team as they've been. But, just to make this easy, here's who else the Sabres would have gotten with Edmonton's picks the next three years:

2009: Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson (17 goals, 42 points, 121 games)

2010: Taylor Hall (48 goals, 94 points, 124 games)

2011: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (15 goals, 41 points, 49 games)

Think the Oilers would trade those four for Vanek today? Me neither.

The only message to take from all that: Hey, Bills, don't screw up this free agency season.

---John Vogl

I'm no fan of going back to the NHL's old system of qualifying for the playoffs and this season is a classic example why. The top four in each propsed new "conference" would already be decided in some cases. Think anything is decided in a 1-8 scramble like this year? Nope.

The Sabres, of course, are in the middle of a race with Washington, Winnipeg and Tampa Bay for eighth in the East (and Florida should be included too because it's just a point up on Washington). And the Colorado Avalanche hit town tonight in a four-way tie for eighth in the West -- with Phoenix just one point ahead in seventh.

The four-way became a reality last night when San Jose lost in overtime at Calgary and Los Angeles beat Detroit. The Sharks, Flames, Kings and Avs all have 78 points. Colorado is 11-5-1 in its  last 17 games.

"The west is crazy," Lindy Ruff said today. "You look at San Jose and Calgary and look at them all bottled up at 78 points and that race is crazier than ours in the East."

The Sabres took a hit last night when the New York Islanders blew a pair of three-goal leads and suffered a 5-4 shootout loss to Washington. It's the third time in the last eight games the Capitals looked dead in the water in regulation and pulled out points.

Cracked Ruff:  "When it went to 4-3, I went to the hardware store to buy lights. I couldn't watch anymore."

 ---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

It's pretty clear Tyler Myers knew he was getting suspended for Monday's hit on Scott Gomez and that Lindy Ruff figured his big defenseman was in trouble with the long arm of the NHL law as well. But the Sabres didn't seem prepared for the news that Myers was going to be out for three games with just 12 left in the playoff race, starting tonight against Colorado and continuing through the team's crucial Southern trip to Florida and Tampa Bay.

"I was surprised, disappointed," Ruff said after today's optional morning skate in First Niagara Center. "I felt as a first-time offender, that was a little harsh."

"They made their decision. It is what it is," Myers said. "I knew it was going to be something. I just have to be smarter than that going into a situation like that. I never meant for him to get hurt. I wish him a quick recovery."

The Canadiens expect Gomez to miss at least the next three games, so that clearly played into the league's ruling. What has the Sabres agitated about the decision of NHL VP Brendan Shanahan is the fact Nathan Gerbe missed 10 games due to a concussion from a similar hit Dec. 7 by Philadelphia defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon that did not draw even draw a hearing, let alone a suspension. Review that sequence here, which was capped by Matt Ellis standing up for Gerbe with Bourdon. Clearly, the NBC crew in town that night thought it was a dicey hit.

Consistency seems to be the Sabres' big issue.

"I agree that it is," Ruff said. "One of our players can be basically in an identical situation and there was nothing. There's disappointment so we've got to get by that and get ready to win a game."

Myers said he can't let the suspension change the physical nature of his game.

"I don't want it to change the way I've been playing," he said. "Especially in the D-zone, I've wanted to be more of a physical presence. Obviously I need to be aware of guys' body position on the ice. On that hit, it's a position I can't put myself in."

Brayden McNabb has been called  up from Rochester to replace Myers and Andrej Sekera (pneumonia) skated in a non-contact role this morning. Ruff said he could play this weekend.

Click below for the full audio from Myers and Ruff.

Tyler Myers

Lindy Ruff

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

The Sabres, as expected, have recalled defenseman Brayden McNabb from Rochester. With Tyler Myers set to begin a three-game suspension and Andrej Sekera suffering from pneumonia, the Sabres were one man short on defense.

Because Sekera is ill, Buffalo was allowed to summon McNabb on an emergency basis. Teams are allowed only four regular recalls after the trade deadline but can make emergency recalls as needed, as General Manager Darcy Regier recently explained.

McNabb is expected to play tonight against Colorado. The first-year pro has one goal and five points in 20 games with the Sabres this season.

---John Vogl

Lindy Ruff knows slumping Cody Hodgson will become a contributor for the Sabres. The coach looked a little south for evidence to back him up.

James Neal was lost after Pittsburgh acquired him last season. The forward had 21 goals and 39 points in 59 games for Dallas, but he recorded just one goal and six points in 20 games with Pittsburgh.

This season, Neal is a monster. He has 31 goals and 65 points in 68 games to help keep the Penguins rolling in Sidney Crosby's absence. (The Kid will return Thursday against the Rangers.)

After putting up 16 goals and 33 points in 63 games with Vancouver, Hodgson has nothing to show for eight outings in Buffalo.

"It’ll come," Ruff said. "I’m not concerned. I think you look at it, and it’s obviously disappointing. But it will come. It’s probably no different than when James Neal went to Pittsburgh last year. There was a 'it’s not working out,’ then all of a sudden it works out.

"For the most part, I’ve been happy. He’s been in on some great opportunities that haven’t finished, but he’ll finish."

---John Vogl

The Sabres' late run toward a playoff spot has taken a serious blow. Defenseman Tyler Myers has earned a three-game suspension for boarding Montreal's Scott Gomez on Monday, the NHL announced this evening.

Myers will sit Wednesday's home game against Colorado, Saturday's matchup in Florida and Monday's game in Tampa Bay. He will forfeit $14,189.19 in salary, which goes to the players' emergency assist fund.

"It’s tough. There’s no doubt," coach Lindy Ruff said today. "He’s been a big part of our back end."

Myers went into today's phone call with Brendan Shanahan, the NHL's disciplinarian, with the feeling a punishment was coming.

"This morning it looked a lot worse than a lot of guys thought it did last night when it happened," Myers said. "Especially with 12 games left in this tight race, it’s not a good feeling to even be in this situation."

The Sabres will need to make a minor-league recall to fill Myers' spot. Brayden McNabb is the likely candidate.

---John Vogl

Tyler Myers is preparing for his phone call with NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan, and the Sabres' defenseman is headed toward the conversation with a bad feeling.

"I’m probably expecting something," Myers said today.

The defenseman boarded Montreal's Scott Gomez on Monday night, a hit that drew the attention of the NHL as possibly worthy of supplemental discipline.

"We’ll see what happens," Myers said in First Niagara Center. "Whatever they decide, I’ll have to live with."

---John Vogl

Tyler Myers

Tyler Myers will have to explain himself to Brendan Shanahan today.

The Sabres' defenseman earned a boarding penalty Monday night during the 3-2 win over Montreal, and Shanahan -- the NHL's vice president of player safety and the discipline czar -- has scheduled a hearing for this afternoon with Myers.

Myers had phone call with Shanahan earlier in the year for a hit on Dainius Zubrus but escaped supplemental discipline. Going against Myers this time could be the fact it's his second incident of the season and the possible appearance of intent during the hit on Gomez.

Myers took a stick to the face from Canadiens defenseman Chris Campoli along the boards, then immediately responded with the big hit on Gomez. The video is below.

---John Vogl

---Twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl

Thomas Vanek missed Saturday's game in Ottawa after getting crushed Thursday in Boston by Johnny Boychuk and skated this morning for the first time since the hit, but he's going to be back in the lineup tonight when the Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens.

Vanek was belted Jan. 31 by Montreal's Erik Cole and has been dealing with lingering shoulder issues for several weeks, even though he insists they have not been a factor in his rough play (just four goals in 2012).  Vanek said today the Boychuk hit caused a different problem, believed to be related to his neck.

"I didn't see him coming until I was laying on the ice," Vanek said. "It's part of the game, part  of hockey. It happens and I've got to have my head up. It was a good hockey hit.  I saw the replay and I just had my head down."

Vanek was unable to do any off-ice work while the team was in Ottawa but  said he felt much better  today.

"Each day I got a little bit better," he said. "Obviously the first couple of days after, just tight and stiff and sore. The last two days, I came a long way so I feel pretty good. i would like to play, especially this time of year it hurts missing games and watching them. We're not in a position to sit back and relax obviously."

Elsewhere on the injury front,  coach Lindy Ruff said Matt Ellis suffered a knee injury  Saturday and will  be out for an extended period. Ruff refused to call it a season-ending injury, although that's what it seems like. The news on defenseman Andrej Sekera continues to be grim, with Ruff saying he's now been diagnosed with pneumonia and has yet to leave him since he became ill. Alexander Sulzer will play his fourth straight game tonight  in Sekera's spot. Patrick Kaleta (neck) couldn't finish the game Saturday but he will play tonight.

Marcus Foligno, who scored his first career goal Saturday, will make his regular-season home debut tonight. He said his father, former Sabres captain Mike Foligno, will make the trip from his home in Sudbury, Ont., to watch the game.

Click below for audio from Vanek and Ruff, who had some interesting thoughts on comparing the Folignos.

Thomas Vanek

Lindy Ruff

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

OTTAWA -- On the way out of town for the drive home, which will by highlighted by the St. Bonaventure-Xavier game broadcast, let's review a crazy Saturday night in Scotiabank Place.

It started with a flubbed version of "O, Canada" by local country singer Tara Holloway, who was too much into an American Idol act and couldn't get through French lyrics. Credit to her for keeping it together -- and for the crowd for helping out. Memo to Tara on the Star Spangled Banner: It's "O'er the land of the free" and NOT "Over the land of the free." Yeesh.

Here's the video of the big mishap:

As for the game, the Sabres battled back three times for a 4-3 shootout victory and Marcus Foligno's game-tying goal was a big reason why. The Sabres return home to play Montreal and injuries are again a factor as they might be without Thomas Vanek,  Patrick Kaleta and Matt Ellis.

Click below for some audio from Foligno, Lindy Ruff and Ryan Miller and then watch the game highlights from NHL.com.

Marcus Foligno

Lindy Ruff

Ryan Miller

 ---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)

OTTAWA -- The pregame warmups have just begun in Scotiabank Place, and the Sabres will be without Thomas Vanek for tonight's game against the Ottawa Senators. Marcus Foligno will join the Buffalo lineup for his second NHL game.  Andrej Sekera, who is not on the trip, will miss his second straight game with the flu and Alexander Sulzer will again skate in his place. Patrick Kaleta, who sat out practice yesterday and today's optional skate, is on the ice.

Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson who was reported by CBC to be a game-time decision due to general soreness after Thursday's game against the Rangers, is on the ice. But so is Matt Carkner, who would replace Karlsson if he can't go.

Be sure to stay tuned here for our live game blog, which begins at 7.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

OTTAWA -- The Sabres held an optional pregame skate today in Scotiabank Place and we'll have to wait for the warmups to see what kind of lineup they field tonight against the Senators. Marcus Foligno took  the skate and seems to think he's going to play his second NHL game (his first was also here in December).

Lindy Ruff, meanwhile, would only say that Thomas Vanek and Patrick Kaleta are game-time decisions; Kaleta, however, rarely stays off the ice even for an optional. He wasn't out there today so his prospects may be shaky.

Foligno has 14 goals and 20 assists for Rochester and had his best month in February with 11 points. But he's only played one game in March because of all the traveling he's done with the Sabres as an emergency recall.

"I'm not as nervous as I was the first time around," Foligno said. "I know what to expect and I'm looking forward to the second game. The only thing I've done is staying extra in practice to get the heart rate going. Practices have been intense in Rochester. I haven't played in a week but I still feel really good, really confident."

It will be Ryan Miller in goal against 6-foot-7 Ottawa netminder Ben Bishop, who has won both starts since coming from St. Louis.

"He covers a lot of net," Ruff said. "We're going to work off his backside and create rebound opportunities where he's going to have to make second saves. A goalie that big, obviously the first save I think he can make.  We have to get him scrambling for at least that second opportunity. It's tough nowadays to even get a third."

CBC's Cassie Campbell is reporting that Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson, the NHL's leader in points from the blueline with 67, is a game-time decision tonight after getting banged up in Thursday's win against the Rangers. He has a goal and three assists in five games against Buffalo this year. That would be a big loss.

Here's audio today from Foligno and Ruff.

Marcus Foligno

Lindy Ruff

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

OTTAWA -- The Sabres wouldn't rule Thomas Vanek out of Saturday night's game here after practice Friday but in case he can't go, they have again called up Marcus Foligno on an emergency basis from Rochester.

Foligno is on his fourth recall to Buffalo because he was jet-trotting the continent earlier this week in case  he was needed. The only game he's actually played was the 4-1 loss to the Senators here on Dec. 20. He made his NHL debut that night against the team featuring his older brother, Nick, and game two might be another  family reunion.

Marcus Foligno is tied for second in scoring on the Amerks with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists), and has 70 penalty minutes in 55 games.

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

OTTAWA -- Thomas Vanek is questionable for Saturday night's game at Scotiabank Place against the Ottawa Senators but coach Lindy Ruff said today there doesn't appear to be any longterm issues from the hit Vanek took Thursday from Boston's Johnny Boychuk.

"He's doing OK. He's a little bit sore but doing OK," Ruff said at Ottawa's SensPlex practice facility. "I can't answer that question [if Vanek will miss the game]. It all depends on how he's feeling tomorrow."

Even if Vanek plays, it appears the Sabres are going to shuffle lines after the offense's second straight one-goal game on the road. Ruff said Tyler Ennis will move back to center with Ville Leino back on left wing. At least Friday, Cody Hodgson -- finally getting in his first practice -- got a bump up to what was the top line. The Sabres skated only three full lines Friday, with Matt Ellis and Cody McCormick also on the ice. They looked like this:

Leino-Hodgson-Pominville
Stafford-Ennis-Boyes
Gerbe-Roy-Tropp

As for other players, McCormick appears close to being ready after suffering his second concussion last month. Patrick Kaleta was held off the ice Friday due to maintenance but defenseman Andrej Sekera is suffering even worse flu symptoms and won't play again tomorrow.

"He's going for more tests," Ruff said. "He's either got a real severe flu or we're trying to figure it out what it is but he's not feeling well."

---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington) 

BOS -- Good (early) morning from the Boston airport. The Sabres are already in Ottawa as losers of two of three, but they will wake up in essentially the same playoff predicament they found themselves in Thursday morning.

The Sabres remain two points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings, though they now trail Washington for the final postseason spot instead of Winnipeg. The Capitals beat Tampa Bay in overtime and the Jets lost in Vancouver on a busy Thursday night.

With 14 games left, the Sabres not only need to catch the teams they are chasing, they need to finish the season ahead of them. Buffalo lags well behind in the first tiebreaker -- regulation and overtime wins -- so merely pulling even will not get them into the playoffs.

The Sabres are scheduled to skate at noon in Ottawa. Part of their focus should be performing better in crunch time. They entered the third period tied, 1-1, against both Winnipeg and Boston this week, but they lost both games, 3-1. The Sabres are tied for the third-fewest goals in the NHL during third periods.

Corey Tropp, meanwhile, continues to show he deserves to be an NHL regular. The rookie led the Sabres with four blocked shots during the 3-1 loss to the Bruins and added two hits and one shot in 13:16 of ice time.

---John Vogl

---Twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl

Lindy Ruff

Jason Pominville

Jhonas Enroth

Tyler Myers