Sabres Edge

By John Vogl

Chicago thought it was moving on to the Western Conference finals when Niklas Hjalmarsson broke a 1-1 tie with 1:49 remaining Wednesday. But referee Stephen Walkom waved off the goal because of a scuffle away from the play, and the Red Wings bounced toward overtime while Chicago and its fans cursed their luck.

"At the end of the day, there's nothing you can do but move on," Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. "You're going to overtime and it was no goal, so you can't just sit around and feel sorry. There's still a game, there's still overtime and still somebody's got to score another goal to win it. There was no panic. We just moved on from it."

Indeed, the Blackhawks won Game Seven anyway when Brent Seabrook bounced a shot off the leg of Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall with 3:35 gone in the extra session.

The victory saved Walkom from going down in referee/umpire infamy. (For Walkom defenders: Had Hjalmarsson's goal counted, would anyone be saying, "Oh, man, Detroit got robbed because they didn't blow the whistle during a scoring chance because of a scrum 100 feet away from the net"?)

Chicago will face Los Angeles in the Western Conference finals, while Boston will take on Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference. It's the first time since 1945 that the past four Stanley Cup champions are the last four teams remaining.

Western Conference

Saturday     5 p.m.     Los Angeles at Chicago     NBCSN, TSN
Sunday    8 p.m.     Los Angeles at Chicago     NBCSN, TSN
Tuesday     9 p.m.     Chicago at Los Angeles     NBCSN, TSN
Next Thursday   9 p.m.     Chicago at Los Angeles     NBCSN, CBC
*Saturday, June 8      8 p.m.     Los Angeles at Chicago     NBC, CBC
*Monday, June 10   9 p.m.     Chicago at Los Angeles     NBCSN, CBC
*Wednesday, June 12   TBD     Los Angeles at Chicago     NBCSN, CBC

Eastern Conference

Saturday   8 p.m.    Boston at Pittsburgh     NBC, CBC
Monday    8 p.m.     Boston at Pittsburgh     NBCSN, CBC
Next Wednesday    8 p.m.     Pittsburgh at Boston     NBCSN, CBC
Friday, June 7    8 p.m.     Pittsburgh at Boston     NBCSN, CBC
*Sunday, June 9   8 p.m.     Boston at Pittsburgh     NBCSN, CBC
*Tuesday, June 11  TBD     Pittsburgh at Boston     NBCSN, CBC
*Wednesday, June 12     TBD     Boston at Pittsburgh     NBCSN, CBC

By John Vogl

The first time Lindy Ruff left Buffalo, back in 1989, he went to the New York Rangers. It's possible the scenario could happen again.

The Rangers have fired coach John Tortorella, which might open the door for Ruff to step behind the Blueshirts' bench.

By John Vogl

My former Sabres beat mate Tim Graham told the harrowing tale of Clint Malarchuk back in 2004, a story that allowed readers into the former Buffalo goaltender's tortured and deranged mind, as Malarchuk himself described it.

ESPN has taken its turn.

The sports network's acclaimed "30 for 30" series has a "30 for 30 Shorts" spinoff, and today ESPN released "Cutthroat," the story of Malarchuk's battle. It includes the slicing of his neck by a skate in Memorial Auditorium.

It can be viewed by clicking here.

By John Vogl

Three teams have advanced to the NHL's conference finals. The fourth team will join them tonight.

Detroit visits Chicago in Game Seven of the Western Conference semifinals, and the winner gets a date with the defending Stanley Cup champs. Los Angeles moved on to the conference finals with a 2-1 victory over San Jose in Game Seven on Tuesday.

If Chicago wins tonight, Los Angeles comes to the Windy City on Saturday to start their series. If Detroit upsets the Presidents' Trophy winners, the series will start Friday in L.A.

The Eastern Conference finals between Pittsburgh and Boston will start Saturday in Pittsburgh.

Saturday   8 p.m.    Boston at Pittsburgh     NBC, CBC
Monday    8 p.m.     Boston at Pittsburgh     NBCSN, CBC
Next Wednesday    8 p.m.     Pittsburgh at Boston     NBCSN, CBC
Friday, June 7    8 p.m.     Pittsburgh at Boston     NBCSN, CBC
*Sunday, June 9   8 p.m.     Boston at Pittsburgh     NBCSN, CBC
*Tuesday, June 11  TBD     Pittsburgh at Boston     NBCSN, CBC
*Wednesday, June 12     TBD     Boston at Pittsburgh     NBCSN, CBC

If Chicago wins ...

Saturday     5 p.m.     Los Angeles at Chicago     NBCSN, TSN
Sunday    8 p.m.     Los Angeles at Chicago     NBCSN, TSN
Tuesday     9 p.m.     Chicago at Los Angeles     NBCSN, TSN
Thursday, June 6   9 p.m.     Chicago at Los Angeles     NBCSN, CBC
*Saturday, June 8      8 p.m.     Los Angeles at Chicago     NBC, CBC
*Monday, June 10   9 p.m.     Chicago at Los Angeles     NBCSN, CBC
*Wednesday, June 12   TBD     Los Angeles at Chicago     NBCSN, CBC

If Detroit wins ...

Friday     9 p.m.     Detroit at Los Angeles     NBCSN, TSN
Sunday      8 p.m.     Detroit at Los Angeles    NBCSN, TSN
Tuesday     8 p.m.     Los Angeles at Detroit     NBCSN, TSN
Thursday, June 6  8 p.m.     Los Angeles at Detroit     NBCSN, CBC
*Saturday, June 8     8 p.m.     Detroit at Los Angeles     NBC, CBC
*Monday, June 10     8 p.m.     Los Angeles at Detroit    NBCSN, CBC
*Wednesday, June 12     TBD     Detroit at Los Angeles     NBCSN, CBC

By John Vogl

The NHL combine is underway in Toronto, but the heavy lifting won't come until later this week. Two local players -- Justin Bailey and Sean Malone -- will lift at the same time.

Representatives from all 30 teams began gathering in The True North over the weekend, and more than 100 draft-eligible prospects were set to join them. Teams can interview as many prospects as they wish during a four-day span (Monday through Thursday), and they have access to independent medical reports.

"What the players have to keep in mind is that this will be their initial contact with many NHL teams, so they have the chance to make that good initial impression," Dan Marr, NHL director of central scouting, told NHL.com. "Some kids aren't that comfortable when they're in an interview environment, so it's important they be prepared to talk about themselves, which is something they might not be used to doing. The combine gives the NHL teams a chance to get to know the player away from the rink."

The talks lead to action at the end of the week. The fitness test portion of the combine will be conducted Friday and Saturday. Bailey, who's ranked 38th by Central Scouting, and Malone, who is No. 62, will work out at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

There are 13 individual tests designed to show the prospects' endurance.

By John Vogl

Chicago isn't done yet. Either Los Angeles or San Jose will be tonight.

Both semifinal series in the Western Conference are going to Game Seven after the Blackhawks used a third-period rally Monday to beat Detroit, 4-3. Chicago was in a 2-1 hole heading into the third period but scored three straight times to stay alive.

Game Seven is Wednesday in Chicago. The Blackhawks have won two straight to keep the Red Wings from advancing.

"If I would have told our whole team before this series, if I would have told Detroit, Michigan before this series, that we were going to be playing Chicago in Game Seven, I think everyone would have been pretty excited about that," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "I love Game Sevens. I'm excited about it. We've got a chance to push them out of the playoffs. Should be a lot of fun."

Los Angeles will host San Jose in Game Seven at 9 tonight. The Sharks won Game Six to force the deciding game against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The home team has won every game in the series.

News Sports Columnists Bucky Gleason and Jerry Sullivan talked NHL playoffs Friday during their weekly live show.

Bucky & Sully on Tortorella/Richards:

On Blackhawks-Red Wings:

To watch more segments from the show, click here.

By John Vogl

Lindy Ruff stood strong in Buffalo for 16 years while coaches all around him lost their jobs. Now, whenever someone gets fired, Ruff gets mentioned as a replacement.

He's the betting man's choice to end up in Vancouver.

The Canucks fired Alain Vigneault this week, and the gambling website Bovada.lv has installed Ruff as the favorite to take over.

Here are the odds, with the usual disclaimer: Gambling is bad. Your money is much better spent on concerts, women and whiskey.

By John Vogl

Nick Bailen's hockey journey is set to take an overseas turn.

The Fredonia native has signed with Tappara Tampere, the Finnish club announced. Bailen joined the Rochester Americans in March after leaving Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He played 12 games with the Sabres' minor-league affiate, including all three playoff outings.

The 23-year-old defenseman had no goals, three assists and a minus-5 rating during the regular season and no points with a minus-3 during the playoffs. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder had 12 goals and 31 points in 35 games at RPI this season.

By John Vogl

The NHL's tripleheader Thursday featured one team staying alive and two others get pushed toward extinction.

The Brad Richards-less Rangers avoided elimination with a 4-3 overtime win against the Bruins. New York heads back to Boston for Game Five in a 3-1 hole.

Chicago, the Western Conference favorites, can't solve Detroit and fell into a 3-1 series hole. The Red Wings moved a game away from eliminating their archrivals with a 2-0 victory.

The Kings also earned a shutout, blanking San Jose, 3-0, in Game Five to take a 3-2 series lead.

By John Vogl

John Tortorella called Brad Richards this morning. It was a wake-up call of the wrong kind.

The New York Rangers' coach told Richards he'd be scratched for tonight's game against the Bruins. Boston has a 3-0 series lead and could end the Rangers' season.

"I don't know if surprised is the right word for it," Richards told reporters. "I'm disappointed."

By John Vogl

Mark Messier's legend grew exponentially in 1994 when he guaranteed the Rangers, in a 3-2 series hole against New Jersey, would win Game Six. They did as Messier scored three times in a 4-2 win that helped propel them to the Stanley Cup.

Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson will join Messier in the Hall of the Fame, but he won't be in the same class anymore.

The Senators fell into a 3-1 hole against Pittsburgh on Wednesday with a 7-3 setback. Alfredsson was asked if the Sens could win three straight to come back against the Penguins.

By Mike Harrington

Senators coach Paul MacLean was short and sweet and took no questions after Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Penguins. Right to the point. About 20 seconds worth. Classic stuff from the Bug-Eyed Walrus.

By John Vogl

Cory Conacher was the buzz of the Eastern Conference semfinal between Ottawa and Pittsburgh after Game One. For Game Four, he'll be a healthy scratch.

The Senators are expected to sit the Canisius College product tonight and use 21-year-old Mark Stone.

"It's nothing particular," Senators coach Paul MacLean told reporters in Ottawa. "Somebody has to come out if we're going to put somebody in. He has played well for us and scored some big goals for us. He's been out of the lineup in the past and gone back in and played well. You're trying to find your best, most competitive team every night. You're going to make changes. He shouldn't see this as anything more than a numbers game.”

Stone will play alongside Jason Spezza.

"It's awesome," captain Daniel Alfredsson said. "What an opportunity. I feel more for Conacher, who has to get out of the lineup."

By John Vogl

Phil Housley was ready to make the jump to the NHL coaching ranks. It was just a matter of which team would hire him.

Nashville did today.

The Predators have hired the former Sabres defenseman and USA Hockey coach as an assistant for Barry Trotz.

By John Vogl

The NHL combine continues to grow in size and significance. Justin Bailey will find out in person.

The Buffalo-born right winger is one of 101 prospects set to take part in the combine next week in Toronto. The players eligible for June's draft will have interviews Monday through May 30 and a fitness test May 31 and June 1.

Bailey is ranked 38th among North American skaters after putting up 17 goals and 36 points in 57 games for Kitchener of the Ontario Hockey League.

The top 79 North Americans on Central Scouting's list will attend the combine, including top prospects Seth Jones, Nathan McKinnon and Jonathan Drouin.

By John Vogl

The Sabres brought in John Scott last season to make them a tougher team. They liked what they saw because they're keeping him around next season, too.

The Sabres have re-signed the 6-foot-8, 270-pounder to a one-year deal worth $750,000. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

News Sports Columnists Bucky Gleason and Jerry Sullivan talked hockey Friday during their weekly live show. Watch highlights below.

On NHL playoffs:

Leafs choke?

On Roger Neilson & rally towels:

For more segments from the show, click here.

By John Vogl

As the Penguins get set to host the Senators tonight in Game Two, plenty of heads are turning toward Cory Conacher.

The Canisius product was a pest toward the Penguins in Game One, picking up three minors to bring his team-high total to 29 penalty minutes. He also leads the Sens with three goals.

NHL.com wrote about him heading into the second game, and here's a sampling of quotes from the story:

Jhonas Enroth made 39 saves in Sweden's 3-2 shootout victory over Canada.

By John Vogl

Lindy Ruff is coming home without a medal. Jhonas Enroth could still win one in his homeland.

Enroth backstopped Sweden to a 3-2 shootout victory over Canada this afternoon in the quarterfinals of the world championships. Enroth made 39 saves during the game and stopped three of four attempts in the shootout to send the co-hosts to the semifinals.

The setback eliminates Ruff-coached Canada from medal contention.

By John Vogl

Alex Ovechkin couldn't help Russia overcome a dominant American attack today as the big games at the hockey world championships began.

The United States routed Russia, 8-3, in the opening quarterfinal in Helsinki, Finland. Colorado's Paul Stastny scored twice and added two assists to lead the Americans, who advanced to the semifinals.

Ovechkin arrived in Finland on Wednesday after his Washington Capitals were eliminated, and he scored once and added an assist.

The other quarterfinal games today are: Switzerland against Czech Republic; Finland versus Slovakia; and Canada against Sweden.

By Mike Harrington

This one is making the rounds this afternoon, courtesy of NESN with a boost from CBS Sports' Eye on Hockey blog. We've seen a couple of these before, but this one is even more melodramatic.

NESN has a tiny camera in its TD Garden booth trained on wacko Bruins play-by-play guy Jack Edwards, and it captured this over-the-top reaction from Edwards to Patrice Bergeron's overtime goal in Game Seven against the Leafs Monday night.

Close your eyes and listen and it's actually a pretty good call but Edwards, clearly knowing the camera is there, added some major mustard to his hot dogging too.

By John Vogl

Jim Roque, the head coach at Lake Superior State, has known Ron Rolston since at least 1990, when they were both assistant coaches at the college. They're friends but they are not co-workers again, Roque told The Buffalo News by phone today, refuting a report that he's set to become one of Rolston's assistants on the Sabres.

"I don’t know how that rumor got started," Roque said. "I feel bad that it’s out there. Ron and I are good friends, but he has not offered me any job and I have not pursued a job with him. I talked to him on the weekend to congratulate him, and that’s all I got going with Ron right now."

By John Vogl

One week ago, Sabres coach Ron Rolston figured it would take about a week to assemble a staff of assistants. He fired Lindy Ruff-holdovers James Patrick and Kevyn Adams on Thursday. Chadd Cassidy, who has been Rolston's assistant since 2006, is expected to get one of the jobs.

Here's a look at Rolston's other assistants from his time at USA Hockey.

By John Vogl

The first round of the NHL playoffs is over, and it ended in shocking fashion.

Toronto blew a three-goal lead in the final 10 minutes of Game Seven, allowing Boston to rally and win in overtime, 5-4, to advance to the second round. No team – not one – had ever blown that big of lead in the third period of a seventh game in NHL playoff history, writes Chris Johnston.

“That’s one thing you’re going to remember probably for the rest of your life," Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuck said in a story by Bruce Arthur.