Archives for April 2006

'"He's a guy that's had his ups and downs this year," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "We'd like to get to him early. We'd like to test him. We'd like to get him in situations where we make him be the difference in the game."' … [Read more...] about Esche gets the call after up-and-down season

'"It's great they're back . . . it's a huge boost," said Johnny, an 11-year veteran bartender at City Grill on Main Street downtown. "They're a great young talent . . . win or lose, they're always exciting and they always play hard . . . Thank you, Mr. Golisano."' … [Read more...] about Sabres fever has WNY abuzz and in a tizzy

'The Buffalo Sabres averaged a 5.0 rating for games on MSG, up 56 percent from the 3.2 they averaged two years ago when the team didn't make the playoffs. The ratings should double for the first-round playoff series with the Philadelphia Flyers.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ ratings climb

'Sabres are 6-3 all-time with home-ice advantage in the first round.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Flyers

'The Flyers may have the experience edge, but Sabres co-captain Chris Drury says it won't be a factor. "He (Miller) is so mentally tough," Drury said. "Despite not having any NHL playoff games under his belt, he'll respond well."' … [Read more...] about Sabres are not hung up on playoff pressure

'"Throughout the season, everybody was expecting the calls to go down or the referees to stop calling the new rules, but they kept it going all year long," said Briere, a creative center who is one of the Sabres the Flyers must attend to during the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series that begins here tonight. "So I expect the same treatment in the playoffs."' … [Read more...] about Speedy Sabres capitalize on the new rules

'Skate, skate, skate, the simple buzzing of an opponent which takes away ice and wears out and frustrates an opponent, sapping their will.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo has to skate, skate, skate

'This series features a number of interesting contrasts: McKee vs. Hatcher again; a team which gorged itself at the free agency table vs. one that went with homebrews and a couple of smaller-named additions; a bullet offence vs. a tank defence; a team that never misses the playoffs vs. one that's there for the first time in five years; and, of course, a reprise of Hitch vs. … [Read more...] about One more time

Split personality (Philadelphia Inquirer) Speedy Sabres capitalize on the new rules (Philadelphia Inquirer) 'New NHL' put to test in playoffs (Philadelphia Inquirer) Esche in a zone of his own before games (Philadelphia Daily News) Miracle on ice (Bucks County Courier Times) A tough road ahead for Flyers, Hitchcock (Bucks County Courier Times) Forsberg must excel (Bucks … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Philadelphia Coverage (Updated 4:15 p.m.)

'“Ryan has been very good his last starts,” said Ruff, who answers every query about Miller by throwing Biron in the mix. “Marty’s game in Carolina was exactly what we wanted to see. Obviously, we don’t have a lot of postseason experience in that sense, but there are a lot of players that don’t. We got here we that experience and I think … [Read more...] about Who will play goal? Ruff isn&#8217t saying yet

'"Everybody was thinking we were just a team that, if we were lucky, we were going to be battling for a playoff spot," the Sabres co-captain said. "But we showed that we belonged with the best, and it's the same attitude that we're going to bring to the playoffs."' … [Read more...] about No-name Sabres ready to face Forsberg-led Flyers

'The Buffalo Sabres tell 7 NEWS that Saturday Night's playoff opener at HSBC Arena is a virtual sellout and that only single tickets remain for the game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Near a Sellout

'This will be Ryan Miller's first time as a No. 1 goalie in the playoffs, but Buffalo has a solid backup in Martin Biron. Plus, the Sabres have excellent special teams and rank among the league leaders in both power play and penalty kill. All elements that could lead them to the Stanley Cup Finals.' … [Read more...] about Incredible Red Wings will fly far in playoffs

'"For the way our young guys performed all year, there's not one ounce of me that's worried how they're going to perform come playoff time," Drury said. "They've all contributed in huge ways. I know they'll be ready."' … [Read more...] about Drury’s in the mix for extra seasoning

'"To finally get a chance, I'm extremely excited," Connolly said. "It's something I've been waiting for a long time. To have the chance with the team we have here, we're all really excited."' … [Read more...] about Connolly hopes playoffs are worth the long wait