SabreSpace

'Regier further defended the increases by saying that the hockey being played in the playoffs is of higher caliber and therefore worth the price. He expected all the games would sell out even at the higher prices. He thought wrong.' … [Read more...] about Kilgore out of touch

'If the Empire Sports Network had been able to televise more Buffalo Sabres games in the first two playoff rounds, maybe the team could have kept ticket prices at a more reasonable level. Empire has already lost $130,000 because ABC took two opening round games with Philadelphia and it is potentially losing three games and $195,000 in round two with Pittsburgh.' … [Read more...] about ABC keeps Empire from cashing in on big ratings

'"It was great to see Max be physical," Satan said, smiling. "Hopefully other players will follow his lead."' … [Read more...] about Satan looking for passion

'"All those guys understand the game so well, they're so smart," Barnes said. "So if you think about it, it makes pretty good sense. There are guys on that team who really want to win hockey games."' … [Read more...] about Sabres take note of new Pens' punch

'Bob Boughner probably didn't mean it the way it sounded, but when he was asked about Jaromir Jagr's status for today's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boughner said exactly what was on everybody's mind. "I'm not sure what his problem is," the Penguins defenseman said.' … [Read more...] about Jagr's injury remains a mystery

'Josef Beranek dressed for just 70 games during the regular season and averaged less than 14 1/2 minutes of ice time...And now he is the right winger on their No. 1 line.' … [Read more...] about Fourth-liner set to take Jagr's spot if necessary today

'"You can't take anything for granted with him. If you want to put it in the net past him, you've got to try to put it right through the net because he's quick enough to get over to stop it."' … [Read more...] about Hedberg games perplex Sabres

'"When you see a goalie doing that, you know he's on his game. I remember going to hockey school when I was a kid, and they would show us video of Patrick Roy doing that. The pass would go boom-boom, and Patrick would be right there. They would tell us, 'Look, see how the puck ended up in his chest?' Hedberg is like that. It hits him in the chest all … [Read more...] about One save by Hedberg makes believer out of Sabres' Biron

'"If the defense isn't there for you, you're not going to play very good," Hedberg said after practice yesterday. "Our guys have been unbelievable."' … [Read more...] about Makeover works for Penguins

'He definitely will be traded during the off-season. That was set in stone long before Lemieux said Jagr "could play better." It has zero to do with Jagr's play and everything to do with economics.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux knows Jagr must go

'Coach Lindy Ruff threatened to make lineup changes for today. He mentioned C Chris Taylor and LW Rob Ray as possible replacements, a clear indication of his displeasure with his team's lack of physical work in Game 1.' … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'It was so quiet that you could have heard a puck drop Thursday at HSBC Arena, even before Mario Lemieux scored five minutes into the game. The place had no energy. Neither did the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Penguins expect different energy level in Game 2

'"I think everybody was surprised," Buffalo forward Miroslav Satan said Friday, as the Sabres attempted to come to grips with the 3-0 shutout Johan Hedberg and the new-look Penguins threw at them in Game 1. "They're playing a much better defensive game than they used to play.' … [Read more...] about Sabres surprised by 'new' Penguins

'"I don't know," said Jagr when asked if he had recovered enough from a charley horse he suffered Thursday night to play. "I cannot tell you right now."' … [Read more...] about Jagr practices, but uncertain for Game 2

'For the third consecutive season, the Penguins opened the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by shutting out their opponents on the road. For the third consecutive season, they were the recipients of a heap of praise for such an accomplishment the day after Game 1. Which leads us to wonder: Will they also be eliminated in this round for a third consecutive … [Read more...] about Familiar words finally ring true