Tyler Myers had a big goal but then gave the Buffalo Sabres a bigger scare Tuesday night.

The rookie defenseman left the 3-2 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins with 42 seconds left

in regulation after taking the deflection of a Daniel Paille slap shot to the right side of

his neck. The puck jumped off the shaft of Myers' stick and struck the 20-year-old, who

quickly went down in a heap.

Myers — who had pulled Buffalo into a 2-2 tie with a goal at 18:35 of the second

period — stayed on his knees for a minute or so before regaining his feet with the help

of trainer Tim Macre. Myers went to the locker room and did not return.

"When it first happened, I was wheezing a bit," said Myers, who was sporting a large welt on

the right side of his neck. "But then it calmed down and I don't think it will be any more

than some stiffness after tonight."

Myers said "I'll be skating tomorrow" when asked if he would practice today and play

Thursday in Carolina.

"We'll see," said coach Lindy Ruff. "He's OK right now."

"I didn't know what happened at first and then I saw it," said Henrik Tallinder, Myers'

defense partner. "He's lucky. If it hits his Adam's apple, it's a different story."

Myers played 28 minutes, 17 seconds in the game. That's just 15 seconds off his season high

even though he missed the final six minutes. On his goal, he took a pass from Paul Gaustad,

skated through the neutral zone and beat Tuukka Rask with a snapshot.

"I just tried to use their [defenseman] as a screen and luckily it went in," said Myers, who

has eight goals and is tied for third in rookie scoring with 32 points. "I was a little

surprised. I was just trying to get it on net."

"He's been great the whole season. I'm not surprised by anything anymore," Tallinder said.

"It was unfortunate we lost him at the end there."

. . .

Prior to the game, former Sabres coach Joe Crozier and ex-player and broadcaster Jim

Lorentz were inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. "French Connection" linemates Gilbert

Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert drew a standing ovation when they took their spots on

the ice for the ceremony honoring their former coach and teammate.

Crozier coached the Sabres from 1972-74, including their first playoff season of 1972-73,

and has served the team for 36 years in various front office capacities.

"Thirty-seven years ago, you honored our team by chanting, "Thank you, Sabres,' " Crozier

told the crowd, recounting the memorable finish to the '73 playoff run. "Tonight, I finally

get the chance to respond and say, "Thank you, fans.' "

Lorentz, meanwhile, thanked his family for their understanding "during those countless days

and nights that I was absent in Somewhere USA or Canada."

Lorentz saluted former Bruins teammate John Bucyk, who was on hand, as well his broadcast

partners, the late Ted Darling and Rick Jeanneret.

. . .

Ex-Sabre Paille was named the game's first star for his two first-period goals. He had no

points in his previous seven games before he burned Ryan Miller on a wraparound and a

deflection. Paille, who was traded to Boston in October, has nine goals with the Bruins.

. . .

The Sabres' 45 shots on goal equaled their season high set Jan. 19 in their regulation loss

in Anaheim. It was the sixth time this year Buffalo has cracked the 40 mark.

The Sabres fell to 3-6 in shootouts. The Bruins improved to 7-9, snapping a five-shootout

losing streak. Their 16 shootouts are three off Edmonton's NHL record of 19 set in 2007-08 and

their nine losses are two off Washington's mark of 11 set in 2006-07.