Archives for 2001

'"I think (the Sabres) have figured out the left wing lock," said Lemieux. The Sabres thumped the Penguins 5-2 Wednesday night to roar back and tie the series 2-2, sweeping Games 3 and 4 at the Mellon Arena. "I think we can throw that one away and come up with a new one."' … [Read more...] about Penguins looking for some changes

'Both teams had the day off Thursday, though the Sabres held a team meeting. No doubt they discussed what to do should the Penguins scrap the lock they adopted late in the season and go back to an offense-friendly system.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux lobbying for Penguins changes

'The Sabres solved the lock at Pittsburgh simply by avoiding it, flipping or banking the puck over the Penguins defensemen and into the offensive zone. They also changed their shooting angles on goalie Johan Hedberg, forcing him to move from side to side rather than allowing him to square-up to play straight-on shots.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux, Penguins looking for missing offense — but is it too late?

What a turnaround! The Buffalo Sabres blasted the Pittsburgh Penguins out of their own rink Wednesday night by embarrassing the Pens 5-2 before 17,148 shocked fans in the Mellon Arena. After losing their first two games at home, the Sabres came back and stuck it to the Pens to tie the series at 2-2. And who says having home ice advantage is really an advantage? In this series, … [Read more...] about Sabres smash Pens to get back in series

Dominik Hasek would be 4-4 if not for Mats Sundin's goal in Game 4 of the 1999 Eastern Conference finals at the Marena. With the Sabres up 5-0 with 13 minutes left in the third period, Hasek chose not to aggressively challenge Sundin. … [Read more...] about Sabres can't break away from penalty shots

'Just three days ago, it looked like the Sabres were done. They had dropped the first two games at home and looked bad doing so. It seemed like it was a matter of when, not if, the Penguins would end Buffalo's season. But in the past three nights, the Sabres have played a pair of stellar hockey games to claw their way back into the series. And they've done so with their … [Read more...] about Offense has figured out the Moose

'As was the case in Game 3, a 4-1 loss that saw the Pens outscored 3-0 in the final 20 minutes, the Sabres dominated the final period last night to win their second straight after dropping Games 1 and 2 at home. The Pens were outshot 11-3 and thoroughly outplayed in the third period.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo's Barnes Burns Former Team to Knot Series With Pens

'If the Sabres go on to win this series and advance to the conference final, they may have Hasek to thank. "The Dominator" stacked his pads and stuffed Straka's low backhander with 11:53 to play.' … [Read more...] about Penalty Shot Turning Point in Game 4

Dominik Hasek stacks his pads in the third period and maybe saves the Sabres' season. But which save was it? … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 4 "To the Point"

'The series is now even at two games apiece, but the momentum belongs to Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Even strength

'But Pittsburgh's collective memory went blank Wednesday night after the Buffalo Sabres earned a 5-2 victory to even the second-round series at 2-2. Last year's disappointment, so vivid and significant four days ago, now means nothing, according to Mario Lemieux and crew.' … [Read more...] about Memories linger for Penguins

'"I'm thinking to myself, "I'm glad Dominik Hasek is my goalie' " Warrener said. "I really was. He's got to be one of the best ever, one on one. We had a lot of confidence in him, and he showed us why."' … [Read more...] about Stop on Straka shows Hasek at his best

'Jaromir Jagr's triumphant return to the Pittsburgh Penguins' lineup, well, wasn't.' … [Read more...] about Jagr's return not up to par

'The visiting team has now won all four games in this series, and 30 of 57 games in the 2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Advantage Buffalo

'Surprisingly, the Sabres didn't really target Jagr and his injured shoulder. The Penguins' captain only took one hit in the first period, and it was a mere push after he took a shot coming across the slot. In fact, the biggest hit Jagr took all night came from his own teammate. Mario Lemieux collided hard with Jagr at center ice on a crossing pattern late in the … [Read more...] about Jagr an iron man in return to lineup for Penguins