Archives for March 29, 2007

'With six games left, the Sabres can clinch top spot in the East with two more wins. Next up would be winning the President's Trophy for first place in the NHL standings -- the Sabres are currently tied with West-leading Nashville.' … [Read more...] about Sabres closing in on first conference title since 1980

'“It definitely helps us with a little bit of our confidence,” said Sabres forward Daniel Paille, who broke the tie in his return from a broken finger that shelved him 15 games. “You’ve just got to be patient. Obviously, it took into the third period to get those last three goals. That’s all it has to be - patient and outworking the other team … [Read more...] about Sabres reign their poise with impressive victory over Devils

'Lydman's return would leave the Sabres minus two regulars, right wing Maxim Afinogenov, who's missed 18 games with a broken wrist, and center Tim Connolly, who's not played this season while recuperating from post-concussion symptoms. Both players could be back in time for the first round of the playoffs, which start in two weeks.' … [Read more...] about Sabres D Lydman ready to return

'“It was a real good win for our team,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “We had to tone down our style of play, be a lot more patient. I thought we cleaned up a lot of the careless errors, careless turnovers that had been hurting us.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres are beasts of East

'The Sabres have shown a disturbing tendency to get too cute with the puck after winning a few games, a clear sign they’re getting full of themselves. Usually, it’s the simple plays that get them going, reminding them that hockey isn’t all that complicated when they’re not consumed with putting on a show.' … [Read more...] about Miller leads with words and actions

'“I thought both of them supplied good energy,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “I thought Al really skated well and Danny skated well, and the bonus is to get both of them to score.”' … [Read more...] about Paille, Kotalik provide lift upon return

'Buffalo Place wants to collect the $18,000-a-year charge from the arm of the Sabres that handles its real estate matters. The annual payments are tied to the team’s original 1995 arena lease agreement with Erie County and the Erie County Industrial Development Agency.' … [Read more...] about Sabres delinquent on $86,000, business group says

'"It means a lot down the stretch," left wing Daniel Paille said of posting a strong win against a quality club. "They're a good team. It's really tough to beat them."' … [Read more...] about Sabres close in on conference title

'"To have them three (points) back or seven back, that was a very important win for us," said coach Lindy Ruff. "If they can close it to within three, they're looking at that as a great opportunity to overtake us. Now it's seven points with five games left. That's a good spread, so it was a very important win in terms of the standings."' … [Read more...] about Sabres gain confidence with win over Devils

'Kotalik’s goal came off a feed from new linemate Dainius Zubrus, who shared a renewed enthusiasm with his new linemate. Zubrus had some of his best chances as a Sabre, including a rush through the middle of the Devils’ defense in the second period that nearly broke a 1-1 tie. Is this a combination destined for big things? “I can’t say after just one … [Read more...] about Kotalik returns to old/new line

'They were triumphant returns for Paille, probably the most unsung of Buffalo's injured skaters, and Kotalik who has arguably the most potent shot on the squad. "I think they both came in and provided a good spark," said Mair, who played the right wing on the fourth line that Paille centered. "It's good to get some of our guys back and healthy, but in the same breath we were … [Read more...] about Players&#8217 returns pay off for Sabres

Home or away (New York Post) Eastern Conference battle ends in Devils defeat (Newark Star Ledger) Brodeur closes in on Parent's record (Newark Star Ledger) Devils remain tied for first after loss (Bergen Record) Sabres 4, Devils 3 (NewJerseyDevils.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s New Jersey Coverage

'Rookie Daniel Paille and Ales Kotalik also scored, while Ryan Miller stopped 28 shots to help the Sabres extended their lead atop the East standings to seven points over the Devils, as well as idle Pittsburgh and Ottawa.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, New Jersey 3

'Daniel Paille and Ales Kotalik celebrated their respective returns to the lineup with a goal each for Buffalo, which has 105 points and a comfortable seven-point lead over the Devils for first place in the conference. With the win, the Sabres pulled even with Nashville for most points in the league.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, New Jersey 3

'Ryan Miller made 28 saves in the win, while Daniel Briere notched his 90th point of the season with an assist, the first Sabre to reach that plateau since Pat LaFontaine in the 1995-96 season. With the win, Buffalo moves seven points ahead of the Devils and Senators for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Top Devils 4-3