Archives for December 5, 2001

'"I've talked to some guys from the team, and I don't know if they've decided if they want to go with younger guys or older guys. They might want to go more with an offensive guy than a defensive guy like me."'

This was just what the doctor ordered. The Buffalo Sabres went on a 3-game road trip and came back to Buffalo will all six points. After dropping like a lead balloon during the first two weeks of November, the Sabres suddenly are moving up in the standings. Completing their three-game road trip with an impressive 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, the Sabres come home to face the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche Friday night.

'"There's a belief we can come back, we can score three or four," Ruff said.'

'It's conceivable none of them could play in Salt Lake City.'

'Tuesday's three stars: 1. Erik Rasmussen, Buffalo: Priority No. 1 for Carolina this off-season: trade for Rasmussen so the Canes never have to play him again.'

'It's an old story. He had two goals and two assists in four games against the Canes last season. Six of his 28 career goals and 10 of his 66 career points have come in 13 games against the Canes.'

'"We've got to get our heads our of our rear ends," O'Neill said.'

'"Early in the year, we couldn't buy a goal," Ruff said. "We made a lot of goalies look like all-stars. Now we're finding a way to get the puck across the line."'

'"Both of my goals tonight were tap-ins," Rasmussen said. "It really wasn't anything I did. Kozlov and Timmy just made good passes."'