Archives for April 7, 2001

Although it didn't seem like the Sabres would need Dominik Hasek to shine after they took it to the Capitals in the first period, Buffalo all but folded up the tent and left its goalie to do it solo in the third period, getting outshot by a whopping 23-6.

'It's been a long time since the Buffalo Sabres made goalie Dominik Hasek steal a game for them.'

'At some point, you have to look at coach Lindy Ruff as a source for the Sabres' position among the top teams in the conference. One reason Hasek was so effective Friday was that Ruff rested him Wednesday, giving him three days off before playing the Caps. Ruff probably won't generate enough votes to win the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year, but name a bench boss who has navigated his team more efficiently.'

'"We played well in every area of the game and the only way they scored really — the difference in the game — was their five-on-three [power-play] goal."'

'"I wasn't disappointed by not getting the shutout, but I was much more disappointed in the way we played. In the last 10 minutes, we were completely out of our system," said Hasek, who recorded his 37th victory, matching a career high. "It was really stupid what we were doing."'

'Hasek has won his last six decisions, allowing just seven goals during the span.'