Tyler Myers insists he’s not doing anything different — not looking to shoot more, not trying to jump into the offensive zone any more than he did when the season started.
But the points mounted in the month of January as the rookie defenseman scored four times and added six assists in 14 games.
And on Tuesday, the Sabres’ emerging star was recognized as the National Hockey League’s rookie of the month for his efforts.
“It’s exciting. It’s always nice to hear you’re recognized for your play, but I’m just trying to take it game by game here,” said Myers, who led all rookies in average ice time with 24:42 per contest. “I’m not too worried about points. I’m just trying to focus on making sure I play defense first.”
Myers will have his hands full tonight when the Sabres host an Ottawa team that’s won nine straight, and has closed the Sabres’ Northeast Division lead to just five points. The Senators did get some bad news when Nick Foligno, the son of former Sabre Mike Foligno, broke his leg in a win over Montreal on Saturday. Foligno was sixth on the team in scoring and had registered six points in his last seven games.
But Foligno’s injury aside, the Sabres have struggled against the Senators in the past, even in Buffalo. Ottawa has won on six of its last eight trips to HSBC Arena.
“It’s a good team for us to play. They’ve kind of had our number,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “It’s a good challenge, and I look at it as a heck of an opportunity to wrap your arms around it and go after it.”
Meanwhile, Myers, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Monday, joins previous rookie of the month winners Michael Del Zotto of the New York Rangers (October), James vanRiemsdyk of Philadelphia (November) and Matt Duchene of Colorado (December).
He admitted his first season in the NHL has been more than he’d dreamt.
“I never though I’d be where I am, “ Myers said. “It’s been a lot of fun, very exciting. I just need to make sure I keep it going.”
Goalie Ryan Miller didn’t expect the rookie to log as many minutes as he has, but he’s quickly getting used to the idea of Myers as a staple in front of him for years to come.
“Earlier on I probably was surprised,” Miller told the Vancouver Province. “Not anymore I’m not. A few years down the line, I think teams will be awfully scared of him. Already he gets lots of minutes, he’s hard to get around, he’s good on coverage. When he fills into his frame, he’s going to be scary.”
And as for talk of being a leading contender for the Calder Trophy, given annually to the league’s top rookie, Myers said he tries not to pay attention.
“I try not to think about it. A lot of people bring it up around you, so in that sense it’s hard not to,” Myers said. “It’s just taking it day by day, staying on an even keel — don’t get to too high, don’t get too low. We’ve done a lot of good things.”
Sabres
SABRES: Myers earns monthly honor
- Sabres
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Miller, Sabres blank the Bruins
With Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff nursing three broken ribs and watching from the press box, goalie Ryan Miller made 36 saves to earn his second shutout in three games in a 6-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
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Ruff stuff
As if the Buffalo Sabres haven't endured enough injuries already this season. Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list.
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Rangers top Sabres in a shootout
Henrik Lundqvist came out on top in a duel of goalies, stopping 34 shots through overtime and four of five in a shootout in the New York Rangers’ 1-0 win over Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
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Gaustad leads visiting Sabres to 3-1 win over Canadiens
Paul Gaustad had a goal and two assists to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
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Chara opens All-Star draft by picking Datsyuk
Daniel Alfredsson stuck close to home — both his native Sweden and his adopted home of Ottawa — in making his selections in the NHL All-Star draft on Thursday night.
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Sabres snap 12-game road skid
Jason Pominvile and Nathan Gerbe scored in a shootout and Ryan Miller made 27 saves as the Buffalo Sabres snapped a 12-game losing streak on the road with a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
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Losipeg
Ondrej Pavelec made 25 saves and the Winnipeg Jets beat Buffalo 4-1 on Thursday night, extending the Sabres’ franchise-record road losing streak to 11 games.
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Blackhawks blow out Sabres, 6-2
Jonathan Toews had two goals, rookies Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes also scored, and the Chicago Blackhawks handed the Buffalo Sabres their 10th straight road loss, 6-2 on Wednesday night.
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Rough Road
Home ice has never been more of an advantage to the Red Wings than it has over the last 2 1-2 months.
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Leafs overturned
Jason Pominville scored the go-ahead goal with 5:47 left in the second period, and the Buffalo Sabres held on for a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night.
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