Archives for February 22, 2008

'"Drury was so two-faced during the process that he made me forget how much I liked him in Buffalo," said Mike Mannella, a longtime Sabres fan. "He wanted to go back home, and he tried to make Buffalo management look like the bad guy."'

'"Road games back-to-back we have to play smart," Sabres forward Paul Gaustad said. "The energy's there when you play a smart. When you're not, you're running around and you get tired."'

‘Without identifying the injuries, Ruff said he’s uncertain whether Vanek and fellow forwards Derek Roy, Jochen Hecht and Paul Gaustad can play Saturday when Buffalo hosts the New York Rangers.’

‘The penalty-kill unit was effective early, going 3 for 3 in the first period. Not to be outdone, the power-play unit clicked. It was efficient, scoring twice in the second period on the only two shots it took for the night. The Sabres finished 2 for 5 with the man-advantage, while the Leafs went 1 for 5.’

‘“It’s always a good opportunity to play with those guys,” Kotalik said. “I’ve ended up on the third line a lot this year and it shows in my production. Getting a chance to play with them today you see a little more creativity. It’s been tough for me as a guy who wants to score goals and knows he can do it.”’

‘The pins will be available at all Wilson Farms stores, Tops Markets, Noco gas stations and Rite Aid pharmacies for $2.99 each, plus tax, along with a coupon from The Buffalo News. They also will be available in The Buffalo News lobby, but only from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday.’

‘”It’s going to be a situation where we’re going to have to keep winning games. People around you are going to keep winning games. And when you play the teams you’re right there with you’re going to have to win the majority. You’re going to have to win more than you lose to stay ahead of them.”‘

No gas in Leafs tank (Toronto Sun)

Fletcher won’t keep Mats in dark (Toronto Sun)

Seeing beyond blind faith (Toronto Sun)

Devereaux sidelined with MCL injury (Toronto Sun)

Sabres too sharp for Leafs’ Toskala (Toronto Star)

Time for Leafs to bring in Chesty and Busty (Toronto Star)

Streaking Sabres making a charge up playoff ladder (Toronto Star)

Telling numbers (Toronto Star)

Surging Sabres sweep Leafs aside (Toronto Globe and Mail)

Party? No way. NHL deadline day is no time to play (Toronto Globe and Mail)

Leafs left behind (National Post)

Leafs sniff top pick (Hamilton Spectator)

Photo gallery (MapleLeafs.com)

Photo gallery (Sabres.com)

‘“It was a put-up or shut-up situation and we stepped up and rose to the occasion,” Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller explained. “It doesn’t mean we’re in the playoffs yet but it means we’re in position to make it now.”‘

‘“We’re happy with our efforts and the way the guys are competing. The guys are paying attention to details. That’s a telltale sign that you want to win. It’s going to take that mentality for the rest of the season so we might as well own up to it.”’