SabreSpace

'Because the home team has the benefit of countering the visitor's lines on faceoffs, the Flyers held the upper hand in dictating matchups most favorable to them. But Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff negated that edge by masterfully switching lines during play. The Sabres almost always seemed to have the matchups they wanted rather than vice versa, and never really got caught … [Read more...] about Ruff gets big payoff with early line changes

'It's no coincidence that when Keith Primeau went out of the Flyers' starting lineup on March 26 with a knee injury, Mark Recchi's offensive game sank noticeably. In seven regular-season games plus one Eastern Conference playoff game since he lost his partner, Recchi hasn't scored a goal and has just two assists.' … [Read more...] about Clipped Winger

'"I think the coaching staff did a good job building up our confidence," veteran winger Dave Andreychuk said. "Once we got that first goal, it was key because we were going into a series against a guy who had played well against us. But we have to put this behind us and not be satisfied. We're looking at a long series here."' … [Read more...] about Sabres seem better equipped to crush Roman's empire

'"I'm very frustrated right now with myself," Gagne, a soft-spoken French Canadian, admitted. "I'm not very happy with the way I play right now."' … [Read more...] about Fear of a new injury limiting Gagne's game

'Not that you should get your hopes up, but Keith Primeau skated for about 15 minutes yesterday wearing his knee brace. The Flyers' top center is sidelined with a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.' … [Read more...] about An optimistic Primeau says he's making progress

'Because this is Barber's first playoff go-round as an NHL head coach, and this is when the heat really gets turned up, and this is when you find out if the guy who was such a compulsive truth-teller to the Flyers' players this season can be the same guy when the stakes get raised. Can he?' … [Read more...] about Barber not one to panic

'Primeau suffered a Grade II sprain of his left medial collateral ligament March 26 in Ottawa. "I personally feel I'm ahead of schedule," he said.' … [Read more...] about Primeau skating; Flyers hoping

'The 21-year-old left wing hasn't scored since coming off the injury list on March 26. That's nine games to be exact.' … [Read more...] about Gagne must step up for Flyers

'Keith Primeau, 17 days into rehabilitation from a Grade II sprain of the left knee and wearing a brace, wheeled around the Skate Zone for about 15 minutes yesterday. While he can't do anything with significant meaning until doctors evaluate him on Monday, it's clear Primeau is chomping at the bit to get back into action.' … [Read more...] about Primeau anxious to get back into action

'When asked by reporters yesterday if a passing grade on the re-evaluation would mean he could return at some point during a first-round series the Flyers already trail Buffalo in, Primeau said, "I don't want to speculate." Just several minutes later, he did. "I know I'm actually going to see the doctor on Saturday," Primeau told the Daily Times.' … [Read more...] about Primeau pushing quicker return

'Buffalo's Erik Rasmussen on Roman Cechmanek in Game 1: "The first goal was a boost goal for us. It put the doubt out of everybody's minds that he can't be beat." ... Asked if he thought tomorrow's game was a must-win, Mark Recchi said, "Yeah, we feel that way. We know the situation."' … [Read more...] about The Flyers Scoop

'The tone Thursday was set by Flyers coach Bill Barber, who told his team that it played "OK" Wednesday -- but that "OK" was not good enough.' … [Read more...] about Recchi set to take another shot at Hasek

'Although he skated Thursday at the team's practice facility, he is not due to be re-evaluated by doctors until Monday and the Flyers have figured he would not return until the second round of the playoffs. His teammates are scheduled to play Game 3 in Buffalo Monday night.' … [Read more...] about Primeau primed for appearance in second round

'"Going back to their building down 2-0 starts to change things," said Primeau. "I get more and more antsy."' … [Read more...] about Flyers need to boost offense

'The good news for the Flyers Thursday was that center Keith Primeau skated for the second straight day and reported no pain in his sprained left knee. The bad news is that the Flyers could be trailing the Buffalo Sabres by three games before he returns to the lineup.' … [Read more...] about Flyers' top line is off line