Daily Links for Thursday, March 31

The Buffalo Sabres will end March as a playoff team, but the season continues for another 5 games. Next up is Washington on Saturday evening.

Rangers Fall to the Sabres, Drop to Eighth in the East - Blueshirt Banter
It comes as a shock to nobody that Enroth summons his inner Hasek and posts a shutout. That's just the way things have gone this season for the Blueshirts. Nothing is easy, everything is an uphill battle.

Regier: Miller Has Upper Body Injury - WGR 550
In case you missed it yesterday, Ryan Miller is day-to-day.

Enroth celebrates first shutout - Sabres Edge
Jhonas Enroth, with his parents, Erik and Eva, over from Sweden to see him play in the NHL for the first time, stopped all 23 shots he faced to give the Sabres a 1-0 win over the Rangers.

Gragnani's defense leads to winning goal - The Buffalo News
Marc-Andre Gragnani got his first NHL point on the game's only goal Wednesday night. But it didn't come on the slick passing that has made him the American Hockey League's best offensive defenseman this season.

Roy back on skates, is encouraged - The Buffalo News
Whether he ends up playing this season or not, injured Buffalo Sabres center Derek Roy continues to be encouraged with his rehabilitation.

Playoff Race:

Skinner powers 'Canes to 6-2 win vs. Canadiens - NHL.com
Rookies Jeff Skinner and Jamie McBain both scored twice as the Hurricanes routed the Canadiens 6-2 on Wednesday.

NHL News:

Are the New York Rangers the East’s stealth Cup contenders? - Puck Daddy
On the surface, the New York Rangers are Henrik Lundqvist's team, and it's hard to argue the inherent value in 11 shutouts and a 2.24 GAA in 61 starts. Coach John Tortorella said Wednesday he's made "key saves at key times" for the Rangers in their blistering 8-1-1 run near the end of the season.

Penguins Report: 3/30/11 - Pittsburgh Penguins
Scroll to the middle to read much more tempered expectations about Sid the Kid's return.

Stars Tenuous Playoff Situation Has Media Questioning Nieuwendyk on Richards Once Again - Defending Big D
The Stars playoff race (or lack of race) is starting to call attention back to Joe Nieuwendyk's decision to not trade Brad Richards. If the Stars don't make the playoffs, doesn't that make the decision even more regrettable than (the national media) already presumes it is?

Biggs, Grimaldi lead USA's U-18 three-peat attempt - NHL.com
Tyler Biggs and Rocco Grimaldi won gold for the U.S. at the 2010 World U-18 Championships, and they will be back next month to try to win another.

Mount Royal Cougars stripped of championship title - Global Saskatoon
The ACAC ruled the Mount Royal Cougars, in error, used a back-up goalie who was not eligible to play during the championship game, and the ACAC has ruled a rematch.