Stanley Cups: 0

2011-'12 record: 39-32-4-7, 89 points (3rd in Northeast; 9th in East)

2011-'12 playoffs: Did not qualify

Coach: Lindy Ruff (565-422-161, 15th NHL year, 1st team)

Top returning scorer: RW Jason Pominville (30 goals, 43 assists, 73 points)

Top returning goalie: Ryan Miller (31-21-7, 2.55, .916)

Key additions: LW John Scott; C Steve Ott; D Adam Pardy; C Kevin Porter; RW Mark Mancari.

Key subtractions: C Derek Roy; RW Brad Boyes.

Goaltending: The star of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Miller is a big goalie who is steady between the pipes and is ultra-competitive. He was outspoken during the lockout, calling it “stupid.”

Player to watch: C Mikhail Grigorenko. Buffalo’s top pick in the 2012 entry draft has been lighting it up with Quebec of the QMJHL, netting 69 goals in his last 92 games.

Icing: There’s no fan angst in Buffalo. Sabres sold 31,213 tickets the first day after the lockout ended . . . Additions of Scott and Ott will make Sabres tougher and tougher to play against . . . D Tyler Myers has recovered fully from ankle injury he suffered while playing in Austria during lockout.

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Biting back

PHT: After coming back home in an 0-2 hole, the Sharks are now even with the Kings after holding on to win Game 4 Tuesday night.

NBC Sports

Highlights: Sharks even series with Kings

  The San Jose Sharks capitalized on their scoring chances in the first period and the early part of the second period in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Kings. After falling behind by two goals, the Kings almost cut the lead in half in the second period, but the referee blew the play dead as the puck was about to cross the goal line. The series is now tied at two.

Headlines

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PHT: Bruins rally, put Rangers in 3-0 hole  |  Highlights

PHT: Roy's brother backtracks, unsure about Avs job

PHT: Red Wings take 2-1 series lead  |  Highlights

PHT: Toews calls 2-1 deficit 'slap in the face'

PHT: Quenneville chides Hawks' disallowed goal

Red Wings score twice in 31 seconds

Blackhawks score on controversial play

'Hawks potential tying goal waved off