Sunday night in Philadelphia the Sabres failed to show up at the start of the game. Buffalo fell behind 2-0, and did not have a single shot on goal in the first 10 minutes. Flyers outshot the Sabres 12-4 in the opening period.

   Buffalo has lost four in a row, going 0-2-2 in their last four games.  Losing close games has been a trend all season. Ten of Buffalo’s combined 17 losses this year are by one goal. 

   Special teams were awful against Philly. The Flyers scored two power play goals and a shorthanded goal. Jochen Hecht did tally a shorthanded goal,  but Buffalo’s 30th-ranked power play went 0 for 3.  Brian Flynn also scored for Buffalo.

  The Sabres are 3-4-1 since they fired coach Lindy Ruff. Only Florida has  fewer points in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo host the Rangers on Tuesday night.

  Over the weekend Leodis McKelvin agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth just over $20 million. The guaranteed money is $7.5 million.  McKelvin, who is not the best cover corner, led the NFL in punt returns last year with an 18.7-yard average. He took two punt returns back for touchdowns, giving him four kick-return TDs for his career.

   This move by the Bills signals McKelvin as a starter in the secondary opposite cornerback Stephon Gilmore.  McKelvin took over for Aaron Williams midway through the eighth game of the season and then started four more games before going out with a groin injury.

   The next move by the Bills should be to cut quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on Tuesday.

  On Sunday I played basketball for the first time in almost a year and I played like it. I was awful. As I rehab my right shoulder, I am resigned to the fact that I am the worst player on the asphalt. Despite a lousy performance I still had a wonderful time playing at Dan Moriarty's house along with Harry Gibbs and Scott Brooks.