SabreSpace

In a teeter-totter series that has seen the visitor come in and crash the home team's party in all four games thus far, it's fair to ask when home-ice advantage has ever been such a disadvantage in playoff history. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 5 "Scouting Report"

'Times when philosophies must be rethought, when entire systems must be scrapped. But this, they insist, is not one of those. Not even close.' … [Read more...] about Penguins plan adjustments, not a tactical overhaul

'"Just look around," Satan said. "We have so many guys here. I can go through the whole roster. Any of these guys can score goals. One line does it one night, another does it the next night. I expect to be a help for the team. That's all."' … [Read more...] about Satan's performance gives Sabres lift

'They summoned center Milan Kraft, who leads the American Hockey League playoffs in points (16) and goals (12), from their minor-league affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.' … [Read more...] about Penguins summon Kraft

'But as much as anyone, Coach Ivan Hlinka has something to prove. Today, we find out if any of Hlinka's sterling international reputation translates to NHL success, or if he really is Ivan the Horrible. I'm betting on the latter.' … [Read more...] about Hlinka a problem, not a solution

'What is important to remember isn't so much that the Penguins lost the past two games, but how and why they lost them. If they can do that, it says here Game 6 Tuesday will be the last of this series, but not the last of this season.' … [Read more...] about If Penguins adjust, Buffalo fried in 6

'LW Erik Rasmussen, who has missed all of this series because of a separated shoulder, is likely to return to the lineup. Rasmussen, 6 feet 3, 208 pounds, is Buffalo's best hitter and had 12 goals and 19 assists in the regular season.' … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'"The first thing is we have to start doing the little things better," said coach Ivan Hlinka, whose team succumbed to a Mellon Arena Meltdown in Games 3 and 4 and blew a two-games-to-none lead in the series. "It's difficult to win the hockey game without moving, without moving your legs, without moving the puck, without skating. "We have to do the … [Read more...] about Penguins make massive changes

'Things have worked out well for Barnes since the Penguins dealt him to Buffalo on March 11, 1999, in exchange for Matthew Barnaby. Barnes scored a career-best 30 goals with the Penguins in 1997-98, mostly playing alongside Jaromir Jagr. But he was benched toward the end of his tenure in Pittsburgh. Too small, they said. Not gritty enough.' … [Read more...] about Hearty Stu spoiling Penguins' fun

'"The one thing I do remember is Mario saying after it was all over that he probably played against the best defensive team he's ever played against," said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who was an assistant coach with the Panthers. "We built a system in Florida. We knew we didn't have any glorified goal scorers, but through hard work and trying to limit … [Read more...] about Sabres, like '96 Panthers, stifle Pens' stars

'"I can't see it," said Kevin Stevens, a Penguins wing in his second tour of duty. "I can't see them beating us."' … [Read more...] about Penguins' view remains sunny

'Kraft, the Penguins' No. 1 draft pick in 1998, was tearing up the AHL in the postseason with a league-leading 12 playoff goals and 16 playoff points at the time of his recall. He scored seven goals and added seven assists for 14 points in 42 games with the Penguins in the regular season before being sent to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on January 14. Kraft, 6-foot-3 and 191 … [Read more...] about Penguins recall Kraft

'Goaltender Dominik Hasek knows about momentum in the NHL playoffs. Just because his Buffalo Sabres have it, doesn't guarantee they'll keep it.' … [Read more...] about Tied 2-2, Sabres and Penguins battle for momentum

'It is said those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. We'll find out tomorrow if the Penguins learned their lesson a season ago.' … [Read more...] about Pens Hope History on Their Side This Time

Sabres' fans like rough-house, hard-nosed hockey. They want tough, gritty, physical play from everyone, especially the bigger guys. So when the 6'4", 220-pound Richard Smehlik doesn't lay people out with bone-jarring body checks they, quite simply, go nuts. They can't understand why a big guy doesn't use his size more. Why he doesn't just … [Read more...] about Smehlik: 'That's the way I'm gonna play'