SabreSpace

'Ruff thought he was walking to the unemployment line a few years ago. He'd just finished his second consecutive losing season, a new owner was coming in and Ruff was sure the Sabres would be holding a news conference telling fans they were "going in a new direction." But owner B. Thomas Golisano quickly came to respect Ruff, and calls for the coach's firing were ignored.' … [Read more...] about Ruff makes short-list for NHL’s Coach of Year award

'"Ottawa, yeah, they've got some speed, they've got some skill. We're well aware of that," Miller said. "But I think we do, too. We just have to go out and execute a game plan, and I think the game plan we have in place and the skill we have in this locker room, we can get the job done."' … [Read more...] about A series where the defense never rests

'"I think we really gained a lot of experience as a team, most specifically for the young guys," defenseman Jay McKee said Thursday. "I think that our first series had a lot of twists and turns in it from being ahead two games to having pretty much a must-win situation in Game Five here at home. It was physical. It had a lot of speed to it. It really had everything, momentum … [Read more...] about Young team reaps benefits of some first-round hiccups

'Unless Miller steals games early in the series, the Senators will win in seven.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Senators

'"We already know them really well. There's not a lot of surprises out there. But we really respect their lineup and special teams, and a big factor is going to be staying out of the box. We know we're a good team when we play an aggressive game. But we know if we don't, they can be a dangerous team as well."' … [Read more...] about Senators vow to raise bar for Sabres

'While many suggest the Senators have an advantage over the Sabres because they have a superior defence corps, Miller begs to differ. He says the players in front of him have been outstanding, and he can't say enough about the shot-blocking talents of teammate Jay McKee. "Jay is just a great defenceman. He's committed to blocking shots and that reflects his will to win. Some … [Read more...] about Sabres hope it’s Miller time

'The current edition of the Sabres carries the kind of mix that the 1974-75 squad had, perhaps with a little less offensive explosion. The present Sabres are about as close to the kind of mix that the 74-75 team had... a multitude of scorers, a sound defense and quality goaltending.' … [Read more...] about Sabres defining a new era

'"You definitely have an advantage when you're playing at home," Buffalo center Tim Connolly, the former Erie Otter, said following Sunday's Game 5 win. "The crowd is on your side, and they can give you a little bit of a boost. So it's always tough to go in someone else's building." But, Connolly said, "if we play the way we … [Read more...] about Sabres focus on wins, not rink

'Clearly the Senators are not the one-line Flyers, who had no chance to win if Peter Forsberg, Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble didn't outscore the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Sabres, Senators spell speed

'The only player on the Sabres current roster drafted in the past three years is winger Thomas Vanek. The hot rookie goalie, Ryan Miller, was a draft pick seven years ago. Jay McKee and Martin Biron were first-round picks taken by John Muckler 11 years ago. "Like I said, you have to be patient sometimes and you have to have some good fortune," Regier said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM deserves credit

'Throw it all together and you have the Senators winning in six games.' … [Read more...] about Senators-Sabres series will be up to speed

'Buffalo topped the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. What was billed as the new NHL (Sabres) versus the old NHL (Flyers) played out that way. The Sabres killed the Flyers during first periods when their speed produced early leads while exposing the Flyers' slow defence for what it was. After losing Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia, the Sabres regrouped and outscored Philly 10-1 … [Read more...] about How they stack up

'"Look at our team," Briere said. "I don't think there was one MVP. This was something that we did together, and you could look around the dressing room and probably name seven or eight different MVP's from that Flyers series, and it just shows people how much of a team we are. We're not relying on one guy, or two guys, or a line."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo run parallels Montreal’s ’93 Cup win

'There have been rough times since the French Connection made the Sabres an elite team, but with the win over the Flyers, and the prospect of a brilliant skating duel with Ottawa, that's partly what the current club is saying to its long-suffering fans.' … [Read more...] about Sentimental favourite

'Take the Sabres to take down the Senators in six games.' … [Read more...] about Eastern Conference preview