SabreSpace

'Buffalo is 0-15 in club history when losing the first two games of a playoff series. Only 17 teams in NHL history have come back from a two-game hole. Only two teams have overcome a 3-0 deficit, and it hasn't happened in more than a quarter century. So you might say that Game Three is particularly vital to their postseason survival. Reality says it does not look … [Read more...] about 'Penned' into a corner

'"The general feeling is nothing's over," Mario Lemieux said. "It happened last year: we were up two-zip against Philly and they came back and beat us in the series. In the playoffs you're going to face some teams that are very desperate - like the Sabres on Monday. And we have to be ready to face the music every night. If not, we can get … [Read more...] about Pens bent on not repeating last year's collapse

'What we do know, however, is that the Pens are more than capable of winning without Jagr. In fact, they seem to relish it. They barely missed him after he got hurt in the final period of Game One, and they put together a solid, opportunistic effort in Game Two to take full command of this second-round series.' … [Read more...] about Pens seem to enjoy winning without Jagr

'In a hurry, Doug Houda has gone from minor leaguer to precious commodity.' … [Read more...] about Sabres look to minors to solve major problems on defense

'This game was a brutal hard hitting affair.' … [Read more...] about Minus Jagr, Pens KO Zhitnik, McKee and win 3-1

'"Their defense were kind of running around because we had pressure on them," Ference said. "I was pretty wide-open, just tried to put it to the left-hand side of the net. I ended up flipping the shot, but it went off Patrick's back and in. That's the way you're going to score on a guy like Hasek, is getting those lucky bounces."' … [Read more...] about Penguins 3, Sabres 1

'The hitting picked up on both sides as the game dragged on, and both were cautious while waiting for the other to make a critical mistake. That situation came as the Penguins and Sabres were locked in a 1-1 tie some eight minutes into the third period.' … [Read more...] about Pens shuffle out of Buffalo up 2-0

'It's over.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have fallen and they're not getting up

'In Saturday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Buffalo Sabres, the Penguins got some unlikely muscle from Alexei Kovalev and Mario Lemieux to help deliver knockout blows.' … [Read more...] about Sabres roughed up by Penguins

'The only sports issue more difficult than determining the extent of an injury during the NHL playoffs probably is figuring out the correct formula for a quarterback's rating in the NFL.' … [Read more...] about After animated chat, Jagr sits out Game 2

'"If you go home and expect to win by taking it easy, we're going to come back here, 2-2," Bergevin said. "We have to go home with the intention of winning one game: Game 3. That's all that matters."' … [Read more...] about No Jagr, but plenty of luck results in 2-0 series edge

'Recent history tells us the Penguins, despite what appears to be a commanding lead -- especially because it was built on the road -- have plenty to worry about. They have been in this position before and remember it well.' … [Read more...] about Penguins know series isn't over

'He was beaten twice on 14 shots in the Buffalo Sabres' 3-1 loss to the Penguins in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup playoff series yesterday at HSBC Arena. And, most frustrating, both pucks which eluded him -- the third goal went into an empty net -- were off target.' … [Read more...] about Sabres rue bad breaks and bad luck

'And did Kovalev raise his elbow, as the Sabres charged? "Not at all. I just turned sideways and hit him with my shoulder."' … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'So much for the Sabres' game plan.' … [Read more...] about Pens take first two in Buffalo