SabresBeat

'It’s been nearly five months since the teams last played each other, but it shouldn’t take long for the hostilities to be renewed. The top-seeded Sabres swept the regular-season series, 4-0, but only one game was decided in regulation. Buffalo won twice in overtime and earned a shootout victory in the final meeting Dec. 1.' … [Read more...] about Live from N.Y.: the Rangers

'“I don’t expect him in the near future, but he’s doing great,” Ruff said after practice in the Amherst Pepsi Center. “He’s progressing. He still hasn’t taken part in any type of meaningful . . . he’s out there at a skating pace that’s probably three-quarters of what he can do. He’s done no hard work. … [Read more...] about Gaustad&#8217s return not imminent

'Chris Drury led the Sabres with five goals and two assists against the Rangers in the regular season. Daniel Briere had three goals and three assists. Maxim Afinogenov netted two goals and had three assists while Brian Campbell notched a goal and three assists.' … [Read more...] about Rangers are up next

'“The number of times your heart is broken isn’t important,” says Sabres fan Darren Reithmiller, “it’s the fact that WNY will loyally stand behind their teams until a championship is won. These fans are loyal.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres Fans: The Mighty Faithful

Sabre rattlers (New York Post) Powerful Sabres next for Rangers (New York Newsday) Rangers' Renney reinvented himself, and it came out right this time (New York Newsday) Rangers will battle top-seeded Sabres in second round of playoffs (White Plains Journal News) (4) Rangers vs. (1) Buffalo Sabres (Bergen Record) Rangers will face Buffalo in Conference Semis … [Read more...] about Monday’s New York Coverage

Amerks bounced in double OT (Rochester D&C) Grabovski sparks Bulldogs in return (Rochester D&C) Bulldogs take lead in series (Hamilton Spectator) Hamilton 5, Rochester 4 (AP) Grabovski's goal in double-OT gives Bulldogs 2-1 series lead over Americans (CP) Bulldogs Take 2-1 Series Lead (RNews.com) Amerks fall to Hamilton in double-overtime thriller (Amerks.com) 'Dogs clip … [Read more...] about Monday’s Rochester Coverage

'Game two will be in the Marina next Saturday afternoon with a 3:00 faceoff on WGR Sports Radio 550 and NBC.' … [Read more...] about Sabres To Face Rangers In Round 2. Game 2 Sat.

'A schedule for the series is yet to be released.' … [Read more...] about Rangers will face Buffalo in Conference Semis

'“It’s a lot of fun just to be back out there and playing and be right into the playoffs, which is the most exciting time of the year,” Connolly said. “To move on to the next round, it’s just a great feeling to be back.”' … [Read more...] about Connolly is back to his old self

'“It’s a learning process and I think he learned from that last year,” Daniel Briere said after Game Five. “I was very impressed with his last game in New York, the effort he put in. It was just an all-around great game on his part. And tonight he made another great play on Max’s goal. Everybody was expecting him to just drop it right when he … [Read more...] about Lessons of &#821706 benching serving Vanek well

Is the finger of blame unfairly pointed at one group? (New York Times) Islanders aren't the victims here (New York Post) Deserted Isles (New York Post) Will they stay or go? (New York Newsday) Smyth a most uncommon player, and Isles must find way to keep him (New York Newsday) Islanders head into another uncertain offseason (AP) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s New York Coverage

Amerks win, so it's back to square one (Rochester D&C) Rochester 3, Hamilton 1 (AP) Amerks Square Series (RNews.com) Amerks even Series at one (Amerks.com) 'Dogs drop Game 2; Series tied 1-1 (HamiltonBulldogs.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Rochester Coverage

'Sabres forward Jason Pominville added, “We expected a battle. We had to battle for every game.”' … [Read more...] about Islanders make it interesting, but top-seeded Buffalo advances with 4-3 win

'“We tightened up and didn’t want to make a mistake and that sort of hurt our play,” Ruff admitted of the tense final period. “It’s tough, you get that lead and you’re preaching let’s not make the big mistake (but) we took our foot off the accelerator and, give them credit, they saw a dog that was back on its heels and they came … [Read more...] about Islanders gave Sabres a tough test

'"I definitely don't think we're playing our best hockey. I think everybody will agree on that," Briere said. "But at the same time, what we've done is found ways to win." Sometimes barely.' … [Read more...] about Lapses leave Sabres with room for improvement