SabreSpace

'The logic was Jagr was not injured at all, but lacks the fortitude to battle and his ego had been punctured by the sharp words from owner/teammate Mario Lemieux on the eve of the series that Jagr needed to step up his game if the Penguins were going to go anywhere. "(The injury) is just another Euro-excuse," said one caller.' … [Read more...] about Jagr's status is as clear as mud

'Jagr spent about 20 minutes on the ice testing his skating ability during an optional practice Friday. Afterward, he complained of soreness, saying it was especially difficult making tight turns as well as stopping and starting.' … [Read more...] about Jagr questionable for Game 2 against Sabres

'Although it might be just another NHL playoff matchup in the United States, Czechs watching their heroes on TV at Jagr's Sports Bar consider the Pittsburgh Penguins' series against the Buffalo Sabres the hockey battle of the year.' … [Read more...] about Czechs watch their heroes as Penguins clash with Sabres

The injury report is in. Jaromir Jagr is day to day with a charley horse. Erik Rasmussen is questionable with a separated shoulder. Richard Smehlik is up in the air with a bad foot. And the pointy-nosed penguin over Johan Hedberg's chest is doubtful for Game 2 with a banged-up beak, a bruised breast and a bloodshot eyeball. … [Read more...] about Beware of o and don't shoot at o The Penguin

'The real reason the Buffalo Sabres lost 3-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals was because of poor judgment - especially in the offensive zone.' … [Read more...] about Penguins 3, Sabres 0

'Forward Stu Barnes added, "The reason we lost was careless errors. We gave up too many odd-man rushes."' … [Read more...] about Super Mario spoils Sabres’ start

'Saturday's game will be key. After a 3-0 loss at home, I don't know what else would have to happen for us to realize we really need to kick it into high gear here. We're down one game with another game at home.' … [Read more...] about ‘Maybe we’ve been a little too confident’

'"It gives us confidence, scoring first," Lemieux said. "And the way we've been playing defense, that's to our advantage. The way (goalie Johan) Hedberg has been playing, if we get two or three (goals) ... that should be enough."' … [Read more...] about Lemieux still ‘pretty good’

'Guess who scored the only goal required Thursday night in the Pens' 3-0 victory over the Sabres in Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals? Lemieux. Guess who set him up with a perfect pass? Jagr.' … [Read more...] about Pens mightier than swords

'"He's been unbelieveable for us," Kasparaitis said. "It has to be 20-guy effort but tonight it was one guy. My hat's off to Yo-Yo because he played great. And hopefully he's going to play like that because we need good goaltending. Yo-Yo, nobody knows him, but he's becoming a good goalie, especially in the playoffs."' … [Read more...] about Hedberg leaves no doubts: He's for real

'In fact, it probably was Dominik Hasek's best game of this postseason. Still, it wasn't enough.' … [Read more...] about Hasek excellent, but Pens better

'The questions were simple: What happened to Jaromir Jagr that forced him to leave the game for good late in the second period? Would he play Saturday? What, exactly, was the nature of the injury. The answers seemed simple, too: We don't know. We don't know. And - get this - it was a charley horse. Even Jagr himself had a hard time keeping a straight face while … [Read more...] about Pens keep injury to Jagr mysterious

'He's back. Gary Bettman, that is. The National Hockey League commissioner made his first return to Buffalo since the 1999 Stanley Cup finals. You remember. The no-goal game. Feel the love.' … [Read more...] about Bettman returns to infamous scene

Johan Hedberg wasn't necessarily flashy or stunning in how he did it -- but the Swede looked as solid as a seasoned veteran in not buckling under tremendous pressure by the Buffalo offense, especially in the second stanza when the Sabres took over. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 1 "Sharpening the Swords"

'The rookie goalie with the goofy Moose mask made 25 saves, notching his second playoff shutout amid countless golden scoring opportunities for Buffalo. It was the finest game of his brief career, considering the caliber of the Sabres' offense and the type of saves he had to make.' … [Read more...] about Pens fly past Buffalo in Game 1