SabreSpace

'And while Gratton might not be disgruntled or actively seeking a trade, he probably wouldn't leave Buffalo kicking and screaming if his circumstances didn't change for the better.' … [Read more...] about Gratton wants to give more

It was billed as The Revenge of Captain Crunch. Michael Peca, known by Buffalo Sabres fans as Captain Crunch after all those years he terrorized opponents with his ferocious hits, now had his first chance to extract some revenge on the team that denied him a whole year's service in the NHL. Peca must have had this date circled on his calendar as soon as the NHL schedule … [Read more...] about Sabres shutdown Crunch & Co.

'The Sabres have lost only once in their last six outings and, despite owning one of the league's worst road records, have won two straight away from HSBC Arena.' … [Read more...] about Barnes captains win over Islanders

'The trade doesn't work for two basic reasons: Regier made the move on Dominik Hasek's terms rather than his own, and Kozlov has underachieved.' … [Read more...] about Slouching Slava is doing well at one thing: making Regier look bad

'Kalinin had the cast removed from his left hand Thursday.' … [Read more...] about Kalinin could be cleared to face Hurricanes

'A lackluster 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres tonight before 16,234 at Nassau Coliseum was only the sixth defeat of the season for the Islanders, who had 12 at this point a year ago. But the Islanders are 4-5-3 since Nov. 8, when the Rangers routed them, 6-2.' … [Read more...] about Islanders' Mediocre Play Continues

'"I would've been sure we would've ripped the door off the hinges to get out on the ice for this one," Laviolette said. "Instead, we didn't show up. And we got what we deserved."' … [Read more...] about Yashin & Isles Take Hit

'New Buffalo captain Stu Barnes, the first to wear the "C" since Peca did two years ago with the Sabres, scored on a funny bounce to cut the Isles' early lead to 2-1 with less than two minutes to go in the first. Slicing through the slot, a hot knife through a buttery Isles defense, Barnes tapped in a rebound of J.P. Dumont's backhand attempt that … [Read more...] about Isles prosper, then collapse

'"I'm disappointed in the fact that we needed big-time players tonight," Laviolette said. "We needed to show up and compete, and win the one-on-one battles and we got absolutely destroyed."' … [Read more...] about A Rare Night to Forget

'Michael Peca's old team gave a much more spirited effort than his new one.' … [Read more...] about Sabres 4, Islanders 2

'Dumont scored the go-ahead goal with 2:16 left in the second period as the Sabres rallied for their sixth straight victory over the New York Islanders, 4-2.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, NY Islanders 2

'The Nowhere Man has turned into Mr. Everything for the dynamic New York Islanders. He is their gritty captain. He is the center on their highest-scoring line. He is on the top power-play and penalty-killing units. He is on pace to obliterate his best offensive season.' … [Read more...] about Crunch time returns

'"Guys change teams all the time nowadays - it's not a special occasion," Warrener said. "It happens, and it happens a lot. So everyone's dealt with it, and everyone has friends on other teams. I don't think it's any different with Pecs."' … [Read more...] about Players downplay Peca reunion

'The Sabres, coming off a 5-2 victory Wednesday at Washington, have not won consecutive road games all season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Islanders

'Asked if burying a few goals represented his dream scenario tonight, Peca replied, "No, it's just winning the hockey game." Right, and Tino Martinez truly wishes the Yankees luck in their pursuit of Jason Giambi.' … [Read more...] about Buffaloing Peca Coy on Sabres