SabreSpace

'"When I was in college, I roadtripped to a Buffalo Bills-New England Patriots game. So I was in the back of a Ryder truck for three hours with a bunch of Bills backers, and all I heard for three hours was 'Let's go Buffalo.' When I get bored, I guess I chant that."' … [Read more...] about Penguins weren't rooting for Sabres

'"They've got four good lines, and we're going to have to use four lines if we want to beat those guys," Lemieux said. "You can't play three lines because you'll get worn down as the series progresses."' … [Read more...] about Lemieux: We need to play all four lines

'The most intriguing candidate, Ted Nolan, was on Long Island yesterday and visited with Islanders general manager Mike Milbury at the team offices at Nassau Coliseum. Milbury refused comment and Nolan, who was staying at the Garden City Hotel, could not be reached for comment.' … [Read more...] about And Then There Were Three

'While there are many subplots to this series, the crucial match-up is sniper Lemieux against goalie Hasek, two of the NHL's all-time greats. Super Mario vs. The Dominator could be the individual feature of the playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Hasek, Mario a super match-up

'Is Mario Lemieux vs. Dominik Hasek in an NHL playoff series akin to Mickey Mantle facing Sandy Koufax in the 1963 World Series?' … [Read more...] about NHL's best vs. best: Hasek, Lemieux face off

'When the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired minor league goalie Johan Hedberg at the trade deadline, fans reacted with the incredulity of a starving man who had just been given a packet of seeds.' … [Read more...] about The 'Moose' that saved Pittsburgh

'"But I don't think that should affect the way he's playing in the playoffs. He's here right now. He's a part of this franchise, and he has to give 100% when he's playing now and not be thinking about this summer."' … [Read more...] about Penguins ask Jagr to step up his scoring output vs. Sabres

'He's respectfully called the Dominator, but Dominik Hasek has been anything but dominant in goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins.' … [Read more...] about Pens have had success against Hasek

'"The fans are great in Buffalo; they're very hockey-oriented," Primeau said. "They love to see their teams win. And if they see that you're working hard, they can be a very loud crowd."' … [Read more...] about Ex-Sabres awaiting old squad

'This series should be similar to the last one. Buffalo is a lot like Washington, i.e. Great goalie, strong defense. Expect tight, close-checking games. Also, expect the same outcome: Penguins in six.' … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Lemieux, Hasek

'The last thing players want to do is say something critical or pointed to fire somebody up on the eve of a playoff series. But that's exactly what Mario Lemieux, the owner/conscience/superstar of the Pittsburgh Penguins did Wednesday as the Pens prepared to take on the Buffalo Sabres in their second-round playoff series which starts Thursday night.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux wants to see more out of Jagr

'"Hopefully, he's happy. This is the best time of his life. He's a young guy that's had a great career so far. He's making $10-million a year. He's single. This has to be the best time of his life -- and I'm not so sure he realizes that."' … [Read more...] about For Jagr it's 'best time of his life,' Lemieux says

'"He's a small guy. He's not like Olaf Kolzig, who covers so much of the net. He's pretty fast. His disadvantage could be that he's not as big. Maybe he doesn't cover so much space. I don't know. That's just maybe."' … [Read more...] about Iceberg

'"I talked to him a bit in the past couple of days, and we're certainly going to need him to play at the level he's been playing at for the past two years and to pick up his game a little bit," Lemieux said yesterday. "I think we need him to play a little bit better for us to have a chance to go all the way. He's got to elevate his game and be … [Read more...] about Lemieux: Jagr can do better

'Hasek isn't Buffalo's only big-name player -- veterans like Doug Gilmour and Dave Andreychuk work there now, too -- but the heart of the Sabres' lineup consists of players whose productivity is significantly higher than their profiles.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo confronts the Penguins with depth, defense and desire