SabreSpace

'While every player on Pittsburgh's roster is committed to defense -- from the left-wing lock to protecting rookie goalie Johan Hedberg -- one player seems to embody the philosophy more than anyone else: Kevin Stevens.' … [Read more...] about Stevens' new lease gives Pens playoff life

'Reports have Jagr's injury ranging from a charley horse to a groin pull to a shoulder problem, the latter of which is the current consensus. The Penguins have stood by their "charley horse" evaluation, but there clearly is something more severe. The team likely doesn't want opponents to target any particular area on his body shoud Jagr return, hence … [Read more...] about Jagr's injured, but how injured is anyone's guess

'Last year, it was Ron Tugnutt standing on his head, as the hockey cliché goes, leading the Penguins to a 2-0 lead over Philadelphia. Four games later, their season was over. Just that fast, things can turn in the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Penguins are looking to avoid a repeat of last year's fate.' … [Read more...] about Pens Sitting Pretty, But Still Wary of 2000 Fate

'Gary Bettman swore it was only coincidence. Pure circumstance that he hadn’t been in HSBC Arena since the 1999 Stanley Cup finals.' … [Read more...] about NHL's Bettman still hears about Hull's goal

Since the last seconds of Game 2 ticked down, the statistical history of the Buffalo franchise has been well documented: they have never come back to win a playoff series when trailing two games to none. That does not bode well for any Sabres' fan. However, there is a collective source of optimism to be found within the annals of Sabres history. … [Read more...] about If past is a clue, there's hope for Game 3

The Sabres aren't hanging by a thread yet, but the rope is certainly getting thinner with every loss. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Pens Game 3 "Scouting Report"

The Sabres have lost their depth, their offense and their confidence. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Pens Game 3 "Edge Matchups"

'It appeared the Sabres' 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins smacked them across their collective head Saturday. They have a daunting task awaiting them in the next three days and little room for error. The Eastern Conference series between the Sabres and Penguins shifts to Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh tonight, where Buffalo has won once in the last 12 games.' … [Read more...] about Groggy Sabres ready to answer the bell

'When team owner Mario Lemieux and coach Ivan Hlinka described Hedberg's emergence as a "surprise," they weren't kidding. The Pens were so surprised to see Hedberg play his way into the starting job that they neglected to make room for the 27-year-old first-year player.' … [Read more...] about Hedberg's success surprising to Pens

'Boy, the perception of a hockey team can change dramatically from one week to the next, can't it?' … [Read more...] about Scoring well has dried up for 'The Regier Six'

'Predictably, Jagr downplayed his confrontation with Hlinka. The conversation was in Czech, but sources said both raised their voices outside the Pens' dressing room and it appeared anything but friendly. At one point, Hlinka walked away with his arms folded in apparent disgust while Jagr pointed a stick toward his coach.' … [Read more...] about Jagr likely to sit again

'"It's playoff time, and I'm not going to tell," Jagr said when pressed about the injury. "I know it might look funny to some people, that it's a charley horse. There are some other (injuries) besides that, but I'm not going to tell anybody. ... (And) it bothers me that I'm not playing.' … [Read more...] about Jagr mum on injury and unlikely to play Game 3

'"They're going to play physical," Penguins left winger Kevin Stevens said. "It's the only way they can play us, I think."' … [Read more...] about Penguins expect nasty edge of Game 2 to carry over

'But he had a firm opinion on the attention his animated exchange with Coach Ivan Hlinka outside the Penguins' locker room at HSBC Arena before their 3-1 victory against the Sabres Saturday has received: He insists the incident has been blown way out of proportion.' … [Read more...] about Jagr hedges on status for tonight, says talk with Hlinka blown out of proportion

'"It's that time of year when adversity slaps you in the face, and you've got to come up big," Coach Lindy Ruff said after Buffalo's practice yesterday at HSBC Arena. "Throughout the year, we've had situations where key defensemen were out and we still managed to get some victories."' … [Read more...] about Injuries put Sabres in difficult situation