SabreSpace

'The Hurricanes appeared to be in major trouble early in the second period, when defenseman Toni Lydman scored on a breakaway to give the fourth-seeded Sabres a 3-1 lead. However, Carolina coach Peter Laviolette immediately called upon Ward to replace Gerber and the move paid off brilliantly. Ward, who had started 12 straight games prior to Game Four, turned aside all 15 shots … [Read more...] about Hurricanes edge Sabres, move one win away from Cup Finals

'On the ensuing power play, Matt Cullen cranked a slap shot from the left point that deflected off a skate in front and off the boards to the left of the net. The puck then quickly caromed out to the slot to Stillman, who quickly fired the disc through the legs of Ryan Miller to give the Hurricanes the win and a three games to two series lead.' … [Read more...] about Carolina 4, Buffalo 3 (OT)

'Ruff then criticized the Hurricanes for what he said was their attempts at trying to draw penalties for most of the night. "Every time you hit them they look over their shoulder and look at the referee," Ruff complained.' … [Read more...] about In-charge Hurricanes head to Buffalo

'"I think we played a strong game and left everything on the ice, but you have to give them credit for being able to come back," said Sabres defenseman Jay McKee. "We expected this series to be hard, so now we have to go home and force a Game 7 where anything could happen."' … [Read more...] about Ward comes up big in a pinch for Carolina

'Miller is certainly capable of that. He is the only remaining goaltender in the finals, along with the Oilers' Dwayne Roloson, to play every minute in the playoffs. And before his team let him down in Game 4, Miller had just one loss with a two-goal differential.' … [Read more...] about Even more pressure on Miller

'Hey, Peter Laviolette, this Bud's for you! For the second straight game in the Eastern Conference finals, Laviolette made a goaltending switch work for his team. Now, the Hurricanes find themselves one win from a date with the Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals.' … [Read more...] about Smart Switch

'Stillman only had two goals and seven points in 21 games with the Lightning in 2004, and already has three game-winning goals - including the series clincher against Montreal - this year. On top of that, he scored the pivotal goal in Game 5 - perhaps the pivotal game in this series. He's a prime-time player for a team that is just one game away from a date with the Edmonton … [Read more...] about Goalie switches have worked

'The Sabres had a couple of great chances to get the lead back, most notably late in regulation when Max Afinogenov broke in all alone on Ward but failed to find the net. Buffalo also had a power play to start overtime, but Ward came up big again turning aside two Sabres shots in the extra frame.' … [Read more...] about Hurricanes Rally For OT Win; Take Series Lead

'Sunday's game marked the first loss for the Sabres in five overtime games this postseason.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Fall In Overtime

'"We really played well in the third and had some great scoring chances in overtime," said a deflated J.P. Dumont. "That (penalty) just cost us the game."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo loses Game Five in OT

'A lazy penalty by J.P. Dumont ended the late game domination Buffalo had over Carolina who managed just four shots on goal in the third period and over time combined. It was a better effort from the Sabres who played hard and gave it all they could. It was lack of finish that killed the Sabres tonight, unlike game four when it was lack of effort.' … [Read more...] about Sabres blow 2 goal lead, go down in OT 4-3 to ‘Canes

'"I won't say the Sabres won't go this far again, but it's kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity for me," Boesenberg said. "Now, I'm studying and I can take off whenever I want." Take off he did.' … [Read more...] about German law student makes 4,000-mile trek to cheer on 'his' Sabres

'The drawn-out saga of Teppo Numminen and his ailing groin muscle will go on at least until game time on Sunday night.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo waits on Numminen

Carolina at Buffalo (AP) Hurricanes host Sabres in critical Game Five (Sportsticker) (4) Buffalo Sabres (2-2) at (2) Carolina Hurricanes (2-2) (The Sports Network) Help may come for battered Sabres (CBC Sports) Game notes (CarolinaHurricanes.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Game Previews (Updated 6:00 p.m.)

'Briere spoke in HSBC Arena after the Sabres held a team meeting that served as a mini pep rally and an airing of grievances. He claimed the most substantial factor in Friday night's loss was the Sabres played too timidly because they were worried about protecting their defensemen, particularly Rory Fitzpatrick, Doug Janik and Jeff Jillson.' … [Read more...] about Sabres left looking for answers