SabresBeat

'“I don’t have the NHL playoff experience,” Stafford said after the Sabres’ 4-1 victory, “but I know in big games if you can get your lower lines to chip in a goal here and there -- obviously [Chris] Drury had a great game -- but if you can get an extra goal there from your lower lines, that will win you games.”' … [Read more...] about Fourth line makes scoring the first order of business

'“We’re all here to support the Sabres,” Cervino said. “It’s like there’s a disease sweeping through Buffalo.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres mania grips Buffalo fans

'“You get goose bumps,” Smith said. “I can’t sit around all day doing nothing. All I do is think about this.”' … [Read more...] about Fans are drawn to the team for its positive feeling

'Throughout the years Thomas has been friends with many of the Sabres. “I’ve known a lot of them including guys like Pat Lafontaine, Dominik Hasek, Michael Peca and Dale Hawerchuk,” said Thomas, who was the NFL’s MVP in 1991 when he rushed for 1,407 yards, had 62 receptions for 631 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. “In fact, Dixon Ward was one … [Read more...] about Thomas ready to run to daylight with Sabres

'"They gave us a battle," Connolly said. "They played a good game." But then Drury took control.' … [Read more...] about Drury clutch for Sabres

'"It's nice to start with a win," said left winger Dainius Zubrus, who assisted on three goals and may have played his best game since he was acquired from the Washington Capitals on the Feb. 27 trade deadline.' … [Read more...] about Sabres make strong opening statement

'New York didn’t manage a shot on net until just over five minutes remained in the opening stanza when Randy Robitaille snapped a 20-footer on Ryan Miller.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo used old formula of strong starts

'“I don’t ever remember it being like this, not even when the Bills were going to Super Bowls, it wasn’t this exciting,” Prelewicz said. “Last year during the playoffs, then winning the first 10 games this season really helped everyone get on the bandwagon.”' … [Read more...] about Rain doesn’t fizzle fanatics’ spirits before Game 1

'“It felt good to get this out of the way,” center Derek Roy said about the Sabres’ first playoff game. “We’ve been expecting our first playoff game for a long time and I think we responded pretty well. We’re skating on the defensive side and blocking a lot of shots, which we need to do in the playoffs. We kept them to one shot in the first … [Read more...] about Defense, special teams carry hungry Sabres

'But it was the second game of the six-game series that stamped the Isles as a special team. In what marked the longest game in club history to date, Bobby Nystrom scored at 1:20 of the second overtime for a 2-1 victory and set the stage for his overtime Cup winner in the sixth game of the Finals against the Flyers three weeks later. Buffalo never fully recovered from that … [Read more...] about Sabres overdue to celebrate

Sabres Give Islanders Rude Welcome to Playoffs (New York Times) Isles fall, but Rick may rise (New York Daily News) Isles suffer Sabre rattlin' (New York Post) Sabres 4, Islanders 1 (New York Newsday) Dubie stands up to Sabres’ onslaught (New York Newsday) DiPietro’s in the house (New York Newsday) Sabres overdue to celebrate (New York Newsday) Isles are lost … [Read more...] about Friday’s New York Coverage

'"As late as the third period, one bounce could have changed things," said Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff, not 100% pleased with what he saw over 60 minutes. "But you know the other team is going to come out hard in the first game of the other team's building."' … [Read more...] about Sabres solve Dubielewicz

'"Rick's going to practise tomorrow," said Islanders coach Ted Nolan. "We'll make that call (about starting) in the next 24 hours." So Dubielewicz's 15 minutes of fame may be over.' … [Read more...] about Sabres too sharp for Isles

'The New York Islanders had the right idea. What they didn't have were the horses to pull it off.' … [Read more...] about Sabres shine in Game One

'"The reward for playing hard all year and being painted as the favourite is home-ice advantage," he said. "We handled a good season very well all year long. We didn't go into any real big slides [despite a lot of injuries], we maintained an even keel."' … [Read more...] about Sabres relish role of East’s undisputed top dog