Archives for October 15, 2011

‘”For years, we were used to Buffalo not being overly high in the salaries, but still being competitive,” Penguins winger Steve Sullivan said Friday. “Now, the new owner wants a winner and is going to try to spend to give themselves the best chance to win.”‘

Sabres are paying the price of success now (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Buffalo (2-1-0) at Pittsburgh (3-0-2) (AP)
Buffalo Sabres (2-1-0) at Pittsburgh Penguins (3-0-2) (The Sports Network)
Penguins, Sabres try to bounce back after losses (NHL.com)
Penguins vs. Sabres Scouting Report (PittsburghPenguins.com)

‘Vanek can shoulder part of the blame, but he was hardly alone in the Sabres’ most disjointed game of the young season. Vanek did, however, have a front-row seat during the crucial moments in First Niagara Center.’

‘Buffalo was effective for certain stretches, erratic in others, dominant at times, sloppy at times. Vanek did a good job killing penalties, but he also killed a few power plays. His penalty with two minutes remaining led to Skinner’s winner on the power play. Carolina scored two short-handed goals and nearly had four.’

‘”It’s been such a long time and it’s a tough situation for him,” Stafford said. “If he doesn’t get on the board, that’s one of the first things people are going to point out and say it’s something with his health. But he’s been skating well. It’s just a matter of getting timing back. His hands are there and his feet are too.”‘

‘In the nearly six months since Easter Sunday — the last time the Sabres played a meaningful game at home — design crews, Sabres staff and construction crews were busy. All are part of a multimillion-dollar overall face-lift to make the facility more fan-friendly.’

‘”Unfortunately for us our special teams really hurt us,” said new Sabres defenseman Robyn Regehr. “Two shorthanded goals against, that really, really hurt us tonight.”‘

‘“I’ve been to a lot of them,” McCormick said Friday prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes that christened the season at the First Niagara Center. “I’ve had great seats to them, but this’ll be the first one I played in.”‘

Canes outlast Sabres for second straight win (Raleigh News and Observer)
Photo gallery (Fox Sports Carolinas)
Photo gallery (CarolinaHurricanes.com)
Photo gallery (Sabres.com)
Photo gallery (AP)

‘“We didn’t take care of the puck at all tonight,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “We created a great number of opportunities, but we gave up some beauties. And all those beauties were given up because of plays we didn’t need to make. … We burned ourselves tonight.”’