SabreSpace

'Mario Lemieux came out of retirement for one more shot at winning a Stanley Cup. Dominik Hasek put off plans to retire for the same reason.' … [Read more...] about Hasek vs. Lemieux: Stanley Cup dreams collide

'"I think we need him to play a little better for us to have a chance to go all the way," Lemieux said during a conference call. "He's got to elevate his game and be a leader."' … [Read more...] about Lemieux challenges Jagr to elevate game

'Rasmussen, one of the Sabres top checkers, will have his shoulder evaluated by team doctors on Thursday morning.' … [Read more...] about Rasmussen doubtful to start against Penguins

'"I'm not the same as I was when I was 25 or even 29," says the now 35-year-old. "I get about 25 minutes a game, not 30 or 35 like when I was younger. That's about right. I play on the penalty killing units now too and that takes a lot out of you, you're moving all the time when you're doing that, but it's a part of the game and I like it."' … [Read more...] about Doing his best in “do-over”

'In all, Pittsburgh's top two lines scored 205 goals this season - nearly as many as the entire Buffalo team.' … [Read more...] about Sabres, Pens in classic NHL matchup

'The series should be a showdown between the NHL's best defense and its second-best offense. But the postseason is hockey's Bizarro World, and Buffalo's Jennings Trophy-winning "D" and Pittsburgh's stable of shooters did not star in the teams' respective six-game, first-round victories. Instead, the Sabres enter Round Two having scored a … [Read more...] about Sabres face huge challenge in Mario & Co.

'Could Hedberg, at age 27, simply be a hero heretofore undiscovered, or a star late to rise?' … [Read more...] about Pens goalie may be up to a tall task

'The Sabres are certainly a good, tough team with a brilliant goaltender - but so was Washington. In fact, the Capitals and Sabres are so alike, there's no reason to think Pittsburgh won't be playing in the Eastern Conference Finals a fortnight from now.' … [Read more...] about For Pens, reality has arrived

'"Everything's going to be tough with Buffalo," Straka said. "They just beat Philly, so they must be playing well. And (Dominik) Hasek's playing unbelievable. Their defense has been playing well for them, and they've got some offense. They scored a lot of goals, so it's going to be tough again."' … [Read more...] about Pens must deal with Sabres' Hasek

'After generating just one goal in the first five games -- Kovalev got it in Game 3 -- the No. 2 line moved emphatically toward re-establishing itself as a major offensive force.' … [Read more...] about Penguins' second line regains its touch

'He did block five shots in Game 6. He blocked 13 in the series. He blocked two on one shift in the first period Monday night, including a blast by Jeff Halpern. He blocked a rocket by Peter Bondra in the second period. That one especially stung.' … [Read more...] about Add Kasparaitis to list of heroes

'Washington's power play savaged the Penguins during Round 1, scoring seven times in 22 tries, and Buffalo's was even more lethal during its opening-round series, converting six of 18 chances against Philadelphia. That means the Penguins, who were guilty of some ill-conceived and unnecessary penalties against the Capitals, will try to cut down on those while … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'"I don't think it's Hedberg's job to beat Dominik Hasek," defenseman Bob Boughner said. "I think he just has to make the big saves, like he did in this series, and give us a chance to win games. Everybody knows Dominik and how can just take the game away from you at times."' … [Read more...] about Hedberg ready for Hasek, Sabres

'Straka, Kovalev and Lang, the trio of gifted scorers who are second line only because they play on a team that also features guys named Lemieux and Jagr, had been largely silent in the playoffs until Monday night.' … [Read more...] about Second line scoring again

'The Buffalo Sabres cannot match the Penguins' firepower - few teams can - but they are one of the deeper teams around. That's one reason why Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek is confident about this series.' … [Read more...] about Besides Hasek, depth is Sabres' biggest asset