SabreSpace

'"They have four good lines, so we're going to have to use four lines if we want to beat these guys," said Mario Lemieux, the Penguins owner and first-line center. "You can't play three lines and get worn down as the series progresses. We're going to need four lines that can go out and do the job."' … [Read more...] about Fourth line still up in the air

'The Sabres translated their regular-season formula for success, hard work, balance and excellent special teams and goaltending, into a six-game triumph over Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.' … [Read more...] about Scouting Report

'The Penguins are approaching their Eastern Conference semifinal series that begins tonight in Buffalo as a kill-or-be-killed proposition.' … [Read more...] about Penguins hard at work on killing power plays

'Mario Lemieux came out of retirement for one more shot at winning a Stanley Cup. Dominik Hasek put off plans to retire for the same reason.' … [Read more...] about Hasek vs. Lemieux: Stanley Cup dreams collide

'"I think we need him to play a little better for us to have a chance to go all the way," Lemieux said during a conference call. "He's got to elevate his game and be a leader."' … [Read more...] about Lemieux challenges Jagr to elevate game

'Rasmussen, one of the Sabres top checkers, will have his shoulder evaluated by team doctors on Thursday morning.' … [Read more...] about Rasmussen doubtful to start against Penguins

'"I'm not the same as I was when I was 25 or even 29," says the now 35-year-old. "I get about 25 minutes a game, not 30 or 35 like when I was younger. That's about right. I play on the penalty killing units now too and that takes a lot out of you, you're moving all the time when you're doing that, but it's a part of the game and I like it."' … [Read more...] about Doing his best in “do-over”

'In all, Pittsburgh's top two lines scored 205 goals this season - nearly as many as the entire Buffalo team.' … [Read more...] about Sabres, Pens in classic NHL matchup

'The series should be a showdown between the NHL's best defense and its second-best offense. But the postseason is hockey's Bizarro World, and Buffalo's Jennings Trophy-winning "D" and Pittsburgh's stable of shooters did not star in the teams' respective six-game, first-round victories. Instead, the Sabres enter Round Two having scored a … [Read more...] about Sabres face huge challenge in Mario & Co.

'Could Hedberg, at age 27, simply be a hero heretofore undiscovered, or a star late to rise?' … [Read more...] about Pens goalie may be up to a tall task

'The Sabres are certainly a good, tough team with a brilliant goaltender - but so was Washington. In fact, the Capitals and Sabres are so alike, there's no reason to think Pittsburgh won't be playing in the Eastern Conference Finals a fortnight from now.' … [Read more...] about For Pens, reality has arrived

'"Everything's going to be tough with Buffalo," Straka said. "They just beat Philly, so they must be playing well. And (Dominik) Hasek's playing unbelievable. Their defense has been playing well for them, and they've got some offense. They scored a lot of goals, so it's going to be tough again."' … [Read more...] about Pens must deal with Sabres' Hasek

'After generating just one goal in the first five games -- Kovalev got it in Game 3 -- the No. 2 line moved emphatically toward re-establishing itself as a major offensive force.' … [Read more...] about Penguins' second line regains its touch

'He did block five shots in Game 6. He blocked 13 in the series. He blocked two on one shift in the first period Monday night, including a blast by Jeff Halpern. He blocked a rocket by Peter Bondra in the second period. That one especially stung.' … [Read more...] about Add Kasparaitis to list of heroes

'Washington's power play savaged the Penguins during Round 1, scoring seven times in 22 tries, and Buffalo's was even more lethal during its opening-round series, converting six of 18 chances against Philadelphia. That means the Penguins, who were guilty of some ill-conceived and unnecessary penalties against the Capitals, will try to cut down on those while … [Read more...] about Penguins Report