SabreSpace

'Saturday's game will be key. After a 3-0 loss at home, I don't know what else would have to happen for us to realize we really need to kick it into high gear here. We're down one game with another game at home.' … [Read more...] about ‘Maybe we’ve been a little too confident’

'"It gives us confidence, scoring first," Lemieux said. "And the way we've been playing defense, that's to our advantage. The way (goalie Johan) Hedberg has been playing, if we get two or three (goals) ... that should be enough."' … [Read more...] about Lemieux still ‘pretty good’

'Guess who scored the only goal required Thursday night in the Pens' 3-0 victory over the Sabres in Game One of the Eastern Conference semifinals? Lemieux. Guess who set him up with a perfect pass? Jagr.' … [Read more...] about Pens mightier than swords

'"He's been unbelieveable for us," Kasparaitis said. "It has to be 20-guy effort but tonight it was one guy. My hat's off to Yo-Yo because he played great. And hopefully he's going to play like that because we need good goaltending. Yo-Yo, nobody knows him, but he's becoming a good goalie, especially in the playoffs."' … [Read more...] about Hedberg leaves no doubts: He's for real

'In fact, it probably was Dominik Hasek's best game of this postseason. Still, it wasn't enough.' … [Read more...] about Hasek excellent, but Pens better

'The questions were simple: What happened to Jaromir Jagr that forced him to leave the game for good late in the second period? Would he play Saturday? What, exactly, was the nature of the injury. The answers seemed simple, too: We don't know. We don't know. And - get this - it was a charley horse. Even Jagr himself had a hard time keeping a straight face while … [Read more...] about Pens keep injury to Jagr mysterious

'He's back. Gary Bettman, that is. The National Hockey League commissioner made his first return to Buffalo since the 1999 Stanley Cup finals. You remember. The no-goal game. Feel the love.' … [Read more...] about Bettman returns to infamous scene

Johan Hedberg wasn't necessarily flashy or stunning in how he did it -- but the Swede looked as solid as a seasoned veteran in not buckling under tremendous pressure by the Buffalo offense, especially in the second stanza when the Sabres took over. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 1 "Sharpening the Swords"

'The rookie goalie with the goofy Moose mask made 25 saves, notching his second playoff shutout amid countless golden scoring opportunities for Buffalo. It was the finest game of his brief career, considering the caliber of the Sabres' offense and the type of saves he had to make.' … [Read more...] about Pens fly past Buffalo in Game 1

'Team officials called it a "charleyhorse" and didn't seem concerned. Jagr was up and about socializing after the game, so he likely will be back in action for Saturday's Game 2.' … [Read more...] about Jagr's 'charleyhorse' injury not considered serious

'One day after being slagged by his owner and supposed mentor, Jaromir Jagr deliberately turned his back on Mario Lemieux. It proved to be the most inspired move of the night.' … [Read more...] about The Franchise hears owner's challenge

'The legend of the Moose is growing.' … [Read more...] about Penguins shut out Sabres 3-0

'The Buffalo Sabres are the NHL's best defensive team, having won the William Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals during the regular season. But you might want to ask to see that hardware as evidence if you witnessed the colossal breakdown which cost them Game 1 of their Stanley Cup playoff series with the Penguins, a 3-0 loss last night at HSBC Arena.' … [Read more...] about Penguins buffalo Sabres on first goal

'"We gave him a lot of work tonight," center Mario Lemieux said. "It's just amazing, the way he's playing."' … [Read more...] about Video on how to beat Hedberg no help to Buffalo

'Was Lemieux trying to motive Jagr to a higher level of play in the Penguins' second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres? Or was his intent somewhat more diabolical? Was he setting the stage for trading the man who has won the past four NHL scoring titles? How about both?' … [Read more...] about Lemieux sets stage for deal