Archives for February 7, 2001

Familiarity breeds contempt, they say, but even if this is the third and final meeting between the two teams in the last 39 days, the Sabres have manhandled the Islanders with such ease that a rivalry hasn't had the chance to develop.

'"People come up to me," said LaFontaine, five times an NHL All-Star, "and ask, 'Why does Troy Aikman still play?' And the answer is simple: He hasn't hit post-concussion syndrome. When he does …".

Yeah, there was just something in that New York City air, something wafting around in that unique cologne of diesel fumes, human excrement and frying sausages.

'To put in perspective how badly the Rangers were playing, they were now down 3-0 in the first period to the Sabres (26-20-5-1, 58 points), who had not only lost five of their last six games, but had not scored more than two goals in their last seven games.'

'The New York Rangers played dead, and the Buffalo Sabres finally found their offensive teeth in a 6-3 laugher in the Garden.'

Although Dave Andreychuk didn't participate officially in the All-Star game last weekend, apparently the scoring exhibition helped inspire the veteran winger.

'One of the things Low did last night was what he has been doing all season — he kept sending his high-profile players back onto the ice even after they committed egregious errors. Captain Mark Messier, in particular, had a brutal night in his own zone but never missed a shift.'

'The Rangers believe they're in a dogfight with the likes of Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Boston and Carolina for a postseason slot. In reality, they are three points ahead of the Atlanta Thrashers.'

'It is difficult to imagine a team reporting for work less prepared than the Rangers were last night. It is difficult to imagine a team playing with less passion and commitment than the Rangers did last night. It is difficult to imagine a team playing more poorly in the defensive zone and more passively all over the ice than the Rangers did last night.'

'Remind Messier of his own credo, that a player's first responsibility is to the team. And that Messier, at this stage of his career, would help this one more by playing less. Leaders can't lead unless they remain productive themselves.'