SabreSpace

'"Desperation" is not supposed to be uttered with 40 games left in the season, but the Buffalo Sabres are already in a postseason crunch.' … [Read more...] about Sabres start homestand humming a desperate tune

'His goal posts.' … [Read more...] about Biron makes up with two old pals

'The Sabres have not won consecutive games since they won three straight Nov. 28-Dec. 4.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Canucks

'"Bob played some remarkably good games for us," Crawford said. "Unfortunately with players, they get older.' … [Read more...] about Crawford won't take Essensa bait

'"His numbers speak for themselves," Ruff said of Essensa, who is now No. 3 in the Buffalo goaltending rotation. "I guess lack of confidence is what you'd have to call it in Bob. There's numbers there that are cause for concern."' … [Read more...] about End of the road for Essensa?

'With 40 games remaining, the Sabres have 37 points. Getting 90 points in a season usually assures a team will make the playoffs. That means the Sabres have to get 53 more points out of a possible 80. That's a big order.' … [Read more...] about Sabres mid-season report

'The Sabres scored twice on the power play, successfully killed all six short-handed situations they faced against one of the NHL's best power plays and showed the kind of stifling defense they have played in seasons past.' … [Read more...] about Biron comes through as Sabres tame Wild

'Ah, the penalties. That's where this game turned bizarre. Wild enforcer Matt Johnson was called for five -- five! -- minor penalties and was sitting in the penalty box when the Sabres scored two of their goals. "I was trying to be physical ... and bring some energy to the team," Johnson said. "And I tried to do it without taking penalties."' … [Read more...] about Sabres skate past Wild 4-1

'Wild forward Stacy Roest was a healthy scratch for the fifth time in the past six games Sunday. Forward Andy Sutton was scratched for the sixth time in the past nine games.' … [Read more...] about Wild notebook

'"After the first 10 minutes, we seemed to get demoralized. I don't know why."' … [Read more...] about Good start fizzles

'Meanwhile, Ray kept tapping on the glass between the two benches and taunting the Wild coaches. He yapped most of the game. Then on the ice, he'd cover up. But his team won 4-1, so I guess he gets the last laugh.' … [Read more...] about NHL's enforcers have lost their punch

'Sunday's game was the only meeting between the Wild and Buffalo, but there was a chippy edge with enforcer Matt Johnson being agitated by the Sabres' Rob Ray.' … [Read more...] about Wiser Schultz returns

'Rob Ray takes his job of enforcer seriously, and the Buffalo Sabres are a better team because of it. Ray goaded Minnesota's Matt Johnson into five minor penalties Sunday, and Buffalo scored a pair of power-play goals in a 4-1 victory over the Wild.' … [Read more...] about Sabres 4, Wild 1

'The teams combined for only 34 shots, including eight in the third period.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, Minnesota 1

The Buffalo Sabres ended one year and opened a new one the same way... losing. Buffalo lost to the Carolina Hurricanes on New Year's Eve 5-4 and then proceeded to lose to the Calgary Flames 3-1 four nights later. Things are not getting any better for the men in red and black. … [Read more...] about Sabres begin New Year on a low note