Archives for April 21, 2007

'Some of Buffalo’s best players -- Chris Drury and Dainius Zubrus excluded -- have yet to play their best hockey, yet the Sabres coasted through the first round in five games against a competent Islanders team that entered the series with a four-game winning streak.' … [Read more...] about Sabres didn’t play well, but they still can

'Zubrus started slowly after being acquired from Washington, but shined against the Islanders, finishing with five assists. He didn’t have a point in Friday in Buffalo’s 4-3 series-clincher, but played substantial amounts on the power play and penalty kill. He’s been with Chris Drury throughout his time in Buffalo, but has really sparkled since Drew Stafford … [Read more...] about Zubrus’ grit, assists make him a worthy series MVP

Isles’ Late Comeback Falls Short, and Sabres Advance (New York Times) In Buffalo, another first-round Yash-out (New York Daily News) The juice spills on Hill, Isles (New York Daily News) Islanders Buffaloed (New York Post) Hill gets 20 game drug ban (New York Post) Isles shuffled off in Buffalo (New York Newsday) League bans Hill for drug violation (New York … [Read more...] about Saturday’s New York Coverage

'New York's stubborness and several spans of ordinary hockey by Buffalo made the set a lot closer than it looked. "This will serve us better than if we'd won easily," Miller said of the Sabres' projected path to the Stanley Cup final as the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.' … [Read more...] about Sabres knock off plucky Isles

'The Isles did make it uncomfortably close in the third, as Trent Hunter and Chris Campoli got New York to within one goal, then Miro Satan was foiled in the crease by Ryan Miller with 10 seconds left. It would have helped if some of the scoring had shown up earlier the series.' … [Read more...] about Last-gasp Isles be damned

'"It's a shock ... I feel bad for him," Buffalo defenceman Brian Campbell said. "Our team were tested twice. It's not a nice feeling. They put you in a room, you pee in a bottle and hope there's enough there, that you put up the (right) numbers and don't have to repeat."' … [Read more...] about Hill suspended for violating drug policy

'"We definitely made it exciting for our fans, or scary for our fans," said Briere about the Islanders' third-period rally. "You don't want to see that happening. I'm just glad we ended up on top."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo shuffles off to Eastern semifinals

'"We were simply a desperate team at that point," Islanders centre Mike Sillinger said. "We finally got a couple of bounces our way because we got the puck to the net. That was something we didn't do enough of earlier in the series."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo bumps off reeling Islanders

'Jason Blake, who led the team with 40 goals this season, scored just once in the playoffs, while snipers Ryan Smyth, Miroslav Satan, Alexei Yashin and Viktor Kozlov combined for a paltry two goals in five games.' … [Read more...] about Islanders’ snipers come up empty

'"There are no easy games when you get down to the final eight," Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff said. "There were pockets where we dominated and pockets where they were exceptional."' … [Read more...] about Sabres edge feisty Isles

'Sean Hill had to stand in front of two dozen teammates yesterday morning and explain why their leading hitter, Sean Hill, was not going to play in the game which could eliminate his New York Islanders.' … [Read more...] about Sean Hill suspended

'Miller stopped 30 shots overall, his best coming on Miroslav Satan with 12 seconds left. Satan cut across the crease and had Miller beat before the goalie spun around and stuck out his glove hand, getting enough of Satan's shot to turn it aside. Miller than scrambled to the side of the net to prevent Alexei Yashin from wrapping in the rebound.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, NY Islanders 3

'Miroslav Satan, Trent Hunter and Chris Campoli each scored and Rick DiPietro finished with 23 saves for New York, which outshot Buffalo 18-5 in the third period and almost sent the game into overtime.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, NY Islanders 3

'The Islanders would finally get on the board early in the third on a goal by Miroslav Satan. Just two minutes later Thomas Vanek would set up Maxim Afinogenov to get the lead back to three goals. The Isles would not go away though as Trent Hunter made it 4-2 halfway through the third. Then Chris Campoli would make it 4-3 with seven minutes remaining in regulation. But the … [Read more...] about Sabres Hold On, Advance To Second Round

'If Tampa Bay rallies to win their series against New Jersey, Buffalo will play the Lightning. If the Devils win the series, the Sabres will take on the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sink Isles in five