SabreSpace

'When team owner Mario Lemieux and coach Ivan Hlinka described Hedberg's emergence as a "surprise," they weren't kidding. The Pens were so surprised to see Hedberg play his way into the starting job that they neglected to make room for the 27-year-old first-year player.' … [Read more...] about Hedberg's success surprising to Pens

'Boy, the perception of a hockey team can change dramatically from one week to the next, can't it?' … [Read more...] about Scoring well has dried up for 'The Regier Six'

'Predictably, Jagr downplayed his confrontation with Hlinka. The conversation was in Czech, but sources said both raised their voices outside the Pens' dressing room and it appeared anything but friendly. At one point, Hlinka walked away with his arms folded in apparent disgust while Jagr pointed a stick toward his coach.' … [Read more...] about Jagr likely to sit again

'"It's playoff time, and I'm not going to tell," Jagr said when pressed about the injury. "I know it might look funny to some people, that it's a charley horse. There are some other (injuries) besides that, but I'm not going to tell anybody. ... (And) it bothers me that I'm not playing.' … [Read more...] about Jagr mum on injury and unlikely to play Game 3

'"They're going to play physical," Penguins left winger Kevin Stevens said. "It's the only way they can play us, I think."' … [Read more...] about Penguins expect nasty edge of Game 2 to carry over

'But he had a firm opinion on the attention his animated exchange with Coach Ivan Hlinka outside the Penguins' locker room at HSBC Arena before their 3-1 victory against the Sabres Saturday has received: He insists the incident has been blown way out of proportion.' … [Read more...] about Jagr hedges on status for tonight, says talk with Hlinka blown out of proportion

'"It's that time of year when adversity slaps you in the face, and you've got to come up big," Coach Lindy Ruff said after Buffalo's practice yesterday at HSBC Arena. "Throughout the year, we've had situations where key defensemen were out and we still managed to get some victories."' … [Read more...] about Injuries put Sabres in difficult situation

'"He's better now at both ends of the rink," Stevens insisted.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux No. 1 as leader, too

'The numbers weigh heavily against a Buffalo comeback. The Sabres have lost all 15 series in their history when losing the first two games, and they are 1-8-3 in their past 12 visits to Pittsburgh.' … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'"I don't know if I'm going to play," Jagr said. "When I'm going to feel like I can help the team, be healthy enough to play, I will play."' … [Read more...] about Jagr probably out for Game 3

'But inquiring minds were curious after Saturday's 3-1 victory: Does the fact that the Penguins lost four straight games after winning two at Philadelphia make them susceptible to a similar meltdown this year?' … [Read more...] about Lemieux continues to amaze

'"I think it's actually throwing guys off. You're so used to the wide-open style that Pittsburgh used to play, the offense-first (philosophy). You see them sitting back and having three guys back all the time, sometimes four, it's freaky."' … [Read more...] about Penguins style baffling Sabres

'George Ferguson never has seen a televised replay of the goal that, 22 years later, remains one of the most memorable in Penguins history. And it came against the Buffalo Sabres in a Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Goal of a lifetime

'The ratings had improved from abysmal to poor and that was something.' … [Read more...] about Hockey ratings poor overall but not in Pittsburgh

'To suggest that Hedberg and the Penguins have held the Capitals and Sabres to a combined total of three even-strength goals in eight games because neither of those teams has anybody who can score goals, is a slap in Hedberg's moose mask, and an affront to the other men defending the Penguins logo.' … [Read more...] about Sabres can score but not on Hedberg