SabreSpace

'Hasek couldn't wait to leave, and you could not help thinking that the greatest goalie in Buffalo history was leaving that dressing room for the final time, beaten in overtime in a decisive playoff game for the third time in four seasons. The Sabres have a $9 million option on his contract for next year, although Hasek could make their decision easy by retiring to … [Read more...] about Swift exit by Hasek may be omen

'The Penguins took control of the neutral zone and the boards during overtime, creating an array of chances that gave an air of inevitability to the eventual outcome. Whether Hedberg was a bundle of nerves waiting to be exploited was a question rendered moot by a Pittsburgh defense that never yielded the Sabres a decent scoring opportunity during the extra session. ' … [Read more...] about Penguins profit from playing Sabre-style hockey

'The Sabres had at least three future Hall of Famers on their roster. But they fell short of the prize in what might be the last solid opportunity for those aging stars: goaltender Dominik Hasek, center Doug Gilmour and left wing Dave Andreychuk.' … [Read more...] about Questions follow veterans after Cup run fails

'"The last game, we were one minute [actually, 78 seconds] away from being eliminated from the playoffs, and Mario brought his magic," Kasparaitis said. "Tonight, I did it."' … [Read more...] about Penguins best Sabres in OT win, advance to face Devils

'Having Mario Lemieux come out of retirement helped to make the Penguins a force in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And a financial success.' … [Read more...] about Lemeiux’s comeback helps team turn profit

'Jagr has two years and $20.7 million remaining on his contract. The Penguins have a choice. They can retain Jagr and lose several of their core players because they can't afford to keep them. Or they can trade Jagr, which will free up the money to keep the other players, and, at the same time, add the kind of quality talent that only one of the best players in the … [Read more...] about Jagr's stay in Pittsburgh goes overtime

'Buffalo appeared to become passive immediately after Penguins C Robert Lang tied the score with 11 minutes left in regulation. Only one forward forechecked, and the defensemen became reluctant to pinch along the boards as aggressively as they had all series. "I don't think we were tight. I didn't feel that at all," C Stu Barnes said. "I felt we … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'"We tried hard, but we didn't deserve to win," Hasek said.' … [Read more...] about Kasparaitis becomes the most unlikely of heroes with overtime goal

'They call this town the City of Good Neighbors, a place where anybody and everybody is welcome. Darius Kasparaitis might be an exception.' … [Read more...] about Kasparaitis silences Sabres' fans

'The Penguins advanced because someone had to. Because even a confrontation as epic as this cannot be permitted to go on indefinitely. But to anoint one team as superior in the wake of all that's taken place would be an injustice to the other.' … [Read more...] about Series did defy all odds

'"I'm sure it's very difficult for Dougie, because he's been in the league for so many years and has been successful before," Lemieux said. "When you know you're at the end of your career, a lot of emotions go through your mind. Obviously, it's been in your blood since you were a little boy growing up. So, playing your last game and knowing it's your last game is always very … [Read more...] about Game 7 might have been Gilmour’s last hurrah

'Darius Kasparaitis isn't known as a goal-scorer, but the big-hitting blue-liner couldn't have picked a better time for a big score.' … [Read more...] about Kasparaitis gets game-winner in OT

'The Buffalo Sabres might not have the most knowledgeable hockey fans, but they certainly had some different signs hanging around HSBC Arena.' … [Read more...] about Legend of ‘Moose’ continues to grow

'For a while, it didn't look like Pittsburgh would get that feeling. Trailing 2-1 in the third period, the Penguins looked absolutely lost. Buffalo got to every loose puck, and Pittsburgh looked ready to mail it in. Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr were completely ineffective, amassing a combined zero shots through two periods, and the second line wasn't clicking either.' … [Read more...] about Penguins capture Game 7

'The Penguins have turned the switch on and off against both Washington and Buffalo and got away with it.' … [Read more...] about Kasparaitis One of Penguins’ Many Heroes