SabresBeat

'This season, Vanek led the Sabres with 43 goals, and he led the N.H.L. in plus-minus at plus-47. With such staggering numbers, it would be difficult to imagine Sabres Coach Lindy Ruff benching Vanek. But Ruff has not coddled him. “It’s been a learning year,” Ruff said of Vanek’s second N.H.L. season. “It’s been a growing year. It’s … [Read more...] about Vanek Makes Sure His Return to Playoffs Is Not Just a Repeat

The Sabres Grab Control From the Rangers in a Flash (New York Times) Vanek Makes Sure His Return to Playoffs Is Not Just a Repeat (New York Times) Buffalo buries Blueshirts (New York Daily News) Ranger defense takes a 'mild' beating (New York Daily News) Karel's back on blue line (New York Daily News) A bad 'one' (New York Post) Scorers have to make their point (New York … [Read more...] about Thursday’s New York Coverage

'"We want to stay away from the track meet," rueful Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "The first 10 minutes we were fine (with Miller forced into a tough save on Marcel Hossa right off the faceoff). But the penalties stunted our growth. Our thought process went south after that. But we'll batten down the hatches and respond accordingly (in Game 2)."' … [Read more...] about Sabres hold their edge

'"Out of the lockout, there's no better example of what a team can do than the Sabres," Shanahan said. "Give (long-serving Buffalo coach) Lindy Ruff credit. They had a vision, they worked with what they had, players who played a certain style. Then they drafted and traded for players who fit that style. It shows what a little patience and belief will do."' … [Read more...] about Shanny likes Sabres

'They don't just come at you in waves. They can stun you with a sudden onslaught, which is what seemed to happen to the Rangers last night.' … [Read more...] about Sabres blitz Rangers

'The performance was a relief not only to the supportive Sabres fans, but head coach Lindy Ruff. His team was wound as tight as a golf ball in its opening-round series against the New York Islanders.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo humming on all cylinders

'But in the second period, Lundqvist seemed overwhelmed by the amount of rubber coming at him. "We knew it was going to be tough," he said on a night where he faced 36 shots. "I'd rather see us play a patient and smart game."' … [Read more...] about Sabres run away with it

'After an impressive second-period example of that high-speed game, Buffalo showed it can play very good defence, too.' … [Read more...] about Sabres do it their way

'"I said, right from the beginning, that it would take time. People were trumpeting 'We're there!' after two weeks. But it will take time, and I still feel that it is a process of having young players having played it throughout their developmental years, and young refs having reffed it throughout the ranks."' … [Read more...] about Give Shanny credit

'Spacek and Straka are from the same city (Plzen), "and so we have a lot of the same friends," the Buffalo defenceman said. "But they better be cheering for us, or they can't come to my house."' … [Read more...] about Notebook

'Last season, Vanek wasn't in top condition. As a result, he couldn't produce over difficult stretches in the schedule. And when he played more or less every other night in the playoffs, Ruff decided not to take a chance. In the offseason, Ruff spoke to Vanek about getting in better shape so his game would improve. Vanek responded.' … [Read more...] about Hardships? That’s so last year for Sabres’ Vanek

'Vanek scored twice, sparking a three-goal second period, and Ryan Miller stopped 32 shots in a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series opener. Jason Pominville and Ales Kotalik also scored for a Buffalo team that played much better after struggling to eliminate the New York Islanders in five games in the first round.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 5, NY Rangers 2

'New York weathered the Buffalo storm in the first period, but the Sabres lit the lamp three times within a 4:09 span in the middle session to take a 3-0 lead.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 5, NY Rangers 2

'After no scoring in the first and plenty of chances on the power play, Buffalo finally got on the board with the man advantage. Thomas Vanek deflected a point shot from Dmitri Kalinin to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the second period. Just two minutes later Adam Mair set up Ales Kotalik on a break snapping it past Henrik Lundqvist. … [Read more...] about Vanek Nets Two In Game One Win

'"It's always nice playing at home," said Vanek. "Obviously in front of your fans and they were great again tonight especially after we scored the first one. I think it was rocking here but looking out at our road record I think we were pretty comfortable playing on the road as well."' … [Read more...] about Great Second Start for Sabres