Tsyplakov Already Showing His Value

Vladimir Tsyplakov’s career is looking up, and not just because he scored the winning goal and added two assists Saturday night in the Sabres’ 4-1 victory over the Kings.

Tsyplakov has dislodged Dixon Ward and is playing on a line with Michael Peca and Vaclav Varada.

Tsyplakov, considered a first- or second-line player with few defensive skills by the Kings, is on a line Buffalo has charged with its primary defensive responsibilities.

“Not only did they do a good job against [Ziggy] Palffy’s line, they did it both ways,” Sabre Coach Lindy Ruff said. “Actually, the . . . line didn’t get on for Palffy’s first shift and they scored.”

Palffy scored at 2:58 of the game.

In Tsyplakov, “I didn’t know what to expect,” Ruff said of the winger who came over from the Kings for a draft pick. “I didn’t know him that well, but I knew he had good hands. . . . I didn’t realize how strong he is. . . . So I expected less and got more, probably.”

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King winger Craig Johnson said he is ready to play, but he was scratched Saturday night for the third game since injuring the middle finger on his left hand while opening a hotel window in Chicago.