SabreSpace

'"I watched two replays; it's elbow-on-chin in my determination," Ruff said of the Kovalev-Zhitnik collision. "That will be dealt with."' … [Read more...] about Ruff pleased with short-handed defensemen but not Kovalev's rough play

'"That's just the way playoffs go," said a delighted Ference. "I've had almost 10 good shots that have been right on net. And then you get the lucky ones that go in off people's backs."' … [Read more...] about Luck, distraction key to getting puck past Hasek

'The Sabres are not capable of putting a scare into the Penguins, even if, as Lemieux predicts, they come out Monday night in Game 3 at the Mellon Arena and "play desperate." They already look desperate.' … [Read more...] about For the Penguins, it's a 'regular' life

'No wonder the only mystery left in this series involves how long it will take the Penguins to fill that hole with dirt.' … [Read more...] about Sabres headed down same road as Caps

'Sometime this morning, a truck carrying 18,000 yellow foam antlers is expected to pull up to a loading dock at Mellon Arena.' … [Read more...] about Penguins expecting antler shipment today

'Perhaps a bigger blow is that the Sabres also lost defenceman Alexei Zhitnik, a major part of the team's power play and penalty-killing unit. Zhitnik received a concussion when he was rocked by Alexei Kovalev.' … [Read more...] about Mario slips Sabres as Pens win

'Whenever he discusses his success here at the edge of Lake Erie, the 43-year-old Regier often mentions the name Dominik Hasek. Had it not been for Hasek's brilliant netminding in recent years, Regier points out, the franchise's recent history - including a trip to the Cup finals two years ago - could read much differently.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo is an example of banking on trust

'Tomorrow night, in an old funky domed arena in Pittsburgh, Johan Hedberg officially will be elevated to cult status.' … [Read more...] about 'Moose' heads chase

'With Jagr out with a charley horse he sustained in Game 1, Lemieux was fierce and unyielding in a ferocious 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, giving the Penguins a sweep at the HSBC Arena and sending them home with a formidable 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal.' … [Read more...] about Mario leads Pens to victory

'Jagr had a spirited conversation with Penguins coach Ivan Hlinka before the game, according to people who witnessed the exchange. The conversation was in Czech and a Czech photographer who overheard part of the gesture-laden discussion said the topic of the Penguins' defensive system came up at one point.' … [Read more...] about Jagr sits out Game 2

'Without Jaromir Jagr, the Pittsburgh Penguins needed someone to fill the void. Few expected that player to be Andrew Ference.' … [Read more...] about Pens beat Sabres without Jagr

'Who needs the NHL's leading scorer when you've got "The Moose?"' … [Read more...] about Pittsburgh 3, Buffalo 1

'Alexei Zhitnik, leading Sabres defensemen in playoff scoring, sustained what appeared to be a concussion in the first period Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. … [Read more...] about Sabres' Zhitnik out with apparent concussion

'Jagr, who got a charley horse in the second period of Thursday's series opener, did not even feel healthy enough to take part in the pregame skate. The team said Saturday that his status is day-to-day.' … [Read more...] about Jagr misses Game 2

'"Mario's first guy back," shrugs Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff. "That's out of character -- that's the commitment they've got to winning now."' … [Read more...] about Jagr's status almost as puzzling as Penguins' play