SabreSpace

'The Sabres' 4-3 victory over Carolina, which started 20 minutes before "Idol" began, had a combined 27.2 rating on OLN (20.1) and CBC (7.1). The two-hour finale of "Idol" had a 21.0, peaking at 26.5 in the final 15 minutes when Hicks was declared the winner.' … [Read more...] about Sabres outdraw ‘Idol’ locally

'One thing I've learned so far about the Hurricanes is that they are faster than I thought they were. I knew their transition game was good because I saw that during the regular season, but right through their lineup, their speed has really impressed me. I thought that Ottawa was a quick team, which they are, but I think that this Carolina team might be even quicker … [Read more...] about Hits, coach clashes and Derek Roy

'That leaves the Sabres with four regular defensemen - Jay McKee, Toni Lydman, Brian Campbell and Rory Fitzpatrick - entering tonight's Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals at HSBC Arena. That also leaves the club with no choice but to use a combination of Paetsch, Jeff Jillson and Doug Janik, who have dressed for a combined five games this season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres' defense takes another shot

'Now the defense could look a little freakish by NHL standards. If Numminen can't play, there could be three members of last season's Rochester Americans defense in the lineup tonight: Rory Fitzpatrick, Jeff Jillson and either Nathan Paetsch or Doug Janik.' … [Read more...] about Depleted Sabres keep pushing on

'What a shame it would be if this terrific moment in time came to a thundering halt because the team's depth was stretched far beyond reason. Because the button-pushers didn't plan well enough for the rainy days that always come during a two-month playoff push.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ failure to trade could backfire

'"He made the big hit," center Daniel Briere said, "but the rest of the game you barely saw him, which is good, it means he didn't make any mistakes."' … [Read more...] about Jillson delivered when Sabres needed him

'"When you do lose a guy, you feel for him, but we also do the team a disservice by (moping about it)," goaltender Ryan Miller said yesterday as the team readied for Game 4 at HSBC Arena. "You have to step up for the guy. You tell yourself 'he went out and gave it his all, so he would expect the same from us.' We don't get down when we lose a guy. We don't look at our team as … [Read more...] about Sabres seeing 3-D

'The swift Buffalo Sabres right winger was told yesterday he might be an emergency recruit on defence tonight after Henrik Tallinder broke his arm in Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes. It was fourth-liner Pominville whose thrilling short-handed goal eliminated the Ottawa Senators in the previous round by zipping around Alfredsson, who was caught in an unfamiliar one-on-one … [Read more...] about Sabre alert on defence

'Two games. Five power-play goals allowed. That's the line on the Carolina Hurricanes. It's a staggering number. No matter how good your offence might be, if you're allowing 2.5 power-play goals per game in the playoffs, you're going to be in trouble.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo shows power

'If Numminen can't go, Ruff is pondering moving fleet-footed rookie centre Jason Pominville to defence. It's similar to the way the Philadelphia Flyers employed speedy winger Sami Kapanen on the blueline when they ran into injury problems. "It's something we've thought about. He plays the point on the power play," said Ruff.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Tallinder done for season

'Numminen hopes to play tonight but will be a game-time decision.' … [Read more...] about Blueline takes another hit

'There is speculation in the NHL community that some of the league's veteran referees are still reluctant to call penalties the way their bosses demand.' … [Read more...] about Veteran officials sidelined in semi-finals

'Strength down the middle comes in a variety of forms. In this eastern final alone, you have the twin dynamos of ultra-motivation, Daniel Briere and Chris Drury for the Buffalo Sabres and the intriguing May-December duo of Eric Staal and Rod Brind'Amour for the Carolina Hurricanes.' … [Read more...] about Centres of attention

'All this suggests that the Sabres should bring an oxygen machine to the bench tonight for Jay McKee and Toni Lydman, who are going to be rather busy and rather tired.' … [Read more...] about ‘Capable’ Sabres slough off playoff injury jinx

'"We want to keep playing physical, it's the way to dominate games," said Sabre centre Jochen Hecht. "We want to play aggressive and play in their zone. As long as this series goes we want to set the tone in that department. When we take the body they turn the puck over."' … [Read more...] about Speedy Sabres can ‘Ruff’ it too