SabreSpace

'Two weeks ago the Islanders were sitting pretty, up nine points and closer to sixth place. Today they are a bit closer to a desperate situation. "For me, it's been like that for a couple of games." coach Steve Stirling said. But Stirling said that "desperation isn't the right word." He added, "There has to be a greater sense of urgency, … [Read more...] about Teams behind 8-ball aiming for a last shot

'Sabres goalie Martin Biron had left his crease to play the puck behind the boards and never had a chance to get back in time. Pool sharks don't bank many shots like Boynton's 180-footer. "I was laughing at that myself," said Raycroft, who made 23 saves on the day. "The glass in here isn't as true as most rinks. I know how he (Biron) felt. You … [Read more...] about Again, Bruins keep working overtime

'''Every day it gets better and better. Yesterday, I couldn't even handle the puck. It was pretty bad,'' Zhitnik said. ''But at least we have progress.''' … [Read more...] about Zhitnik still nursing bruised shoulder

'"Your initial reaction is that you're upset just because you lose," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "You don't really lose anything by losing, but getting scored against with 3.9 seconds left makes you want to put your fist through the wall. You look at the home and home, and we got two out of four (points) against a team that's really been … [Read more...] about Fluke goal is costly as Sabres lose in OT

'As the seconds wound down in OT, it appeared the Sabres had the winner when Afinogenov and Briere, with a trailing Satan, flew in on their two-on-one sortie. They are Buffalo's most dangerous strikers. Afinogenov, wide on left wing with the puck dancing on his blade, opted to pass but the puck never made it to Briere. McGillis swept it toward the left wing boards, … [Read more...] about High noon drama

'Jillson, according to Sullivan, had a tough assignment containing Nylander, who had three assists in Thursday's win, because of Nylander's ability to see the ice, his shiftiness when played tightly, and his lateral mobility. "Michael just has that ability to make those plays," said Sullivan. "He has those subtle, deceptive techniques that make it … [Read more...] about End to end to end to end it

'Biron hung his head in despair, probably wishing he could hang up his uniform for the day as well, and the Bruins rode this Halley's comet to an equally unlikely 3-2 victory on Mike Knuble's goal with 3.9 seconds left in overtime yesterday. "One bench gets down," said Boynton. "The other gets up. It definitely switched things up."' … [Read more...] about It deflected well on him

'"Something like that happens to you, and you're just hoping there's a hole behind the net," said a sympathetic Raycroft, who improved his record to 24-16-8. "You just want there to be a hole right there, so you can fall into it."' … [Read more...] about Sympathetic position

'The Sabres broke in 2-on-1 with two of their most skilled players, Maxim Afinogenov and Daniel Briere, out in front. Afinogenov carried wide on the left wing before McGillis got a stick on his pass attempt, getting the puck up to B's center Michal Nylander with about 11 seconds left. ``I had a feeling he was going to pass it, he's a pretty crafty player and he … [Read more...] about Knuble, B's command repeat performance

'Boynton fired the puck off the right boards and Biron went behind his own net to collect the puck, but the bank shot went straight into the untended goal to cut Buffalo's lead to 2-1. ``It was the change of the game, no question about it,'' Murray said. ``If you gave me a hundred pucks, I bet you I couldn't do (that).''' … [Read more...] about Another gem for Murray

'``I think it sucks,'' Biron said of Boynton's fluke goal in what ended as a 3-2 B's overtime victory. ``That's not something you expect to see in a game. I've seen guys down there on the other end of the ice fake like they're going to shoot the puck along the boards, and then they wait to see if the goalie is going to come out. If they … [Read more...] about Biron's out of luck

'With a point for yesterday's overtime loss, Buffalo now has 71 points and stands five points back of the New York Islanders for the final playoff spot in the East. Both clubs have 11 games remaining. With a work stoppage likely before next season, making the playoffs is more important than ever this year, giving Grier and his new teammates all the motivation they … [Read more...] about Crazy week for Grier

'The last two overtime games have ended in Boston's favor, but it hasn't always been that fortunate this season. Yesterday, the Bruins tied a league record with their 28th trip to the extra period and now have a 7-7-14 season mark in overtime. That's a lot of extra hockey to play in an 82-game season.' … [Read more...] about Bruins rattle Sabres again

'Yesterday, he made the biggest play of the game. With the score tied 2-2 in overtime, McGillis broke up a 2-on-1 chance by Buffalo, collected the puck and quickly moved it up ice to Michael Nylander. McGillis' defensive play created a 2-on-1 and resulted in Mike Knuble's game-winning goal.' … [Read more...] about Boynton comes out fighting against Buffalo

'"(Boynton's) goal was definitely a boost for our team," said Bruin coach Mike Sullivan. "When you get a bounce off the glass like that, that cuts their lead in half, it gives you a lift . . . To a certain extent you make your brakes. Certainly we were fortunate with that one."' … [Read more...] about Working OT is OK with Bruins