SabreSpace

'"It's going to be a tough series for us," said Paul Ranheim. "There is danger to thinking that because Roman is 3-0 it's going to be like that. I think that is why we had this bad spell at season's end. We started to rely too much on Roman to win us games. . . . Going into there today to get home-ice advantage is a huge incentive for … [Read more...] about Familiar faces lie ahead in playoff opener

'Said John LeClair: "You're going to play them again in three or four days, so you want to send a message a little bit. You want to let them know that you're coming to play."' … [Read more...] about Sabres don't scare Flyers

Although it didn't seem like the Sabres would need Dominik Hasek to shine after they took it to the Capitals in the first period, Buffalo all but folded up the tent and left its goalie to do it solo in the third period, getting outshot by a whopping 23-6. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Caps "Sharpening the Swords"

'It's been a long time since the Buffalo Sabres made goalie Dominik Hasek steal a game for them.' … [Read more...] about Razor-sharp Hasek inflicts Capital punishment

'At some point, you have to look at coach Lindy Ruff as a source for the Sabres' position among the top teams in the conference. One reason Hasek was so effective Friday was that Ruff rested him Wednesday, giving him three days off before playing the Caps. Ruff probably won't generate enough votes to win the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year, but name a bench … [Read more...] about Ruff gets this nod for coach of the year

'"We played well in every area of the game and the only way they scored really -- the difference in the game -- was their five-on-three [power-play] goal."' … [Read more...] about Capitals Lose, but Goals Are Fulfilled

'"I wasn't disappointed by not getting the shutout, but I was much more disappointed in the way we played. In the last 10 minutes, we were completely out of our system," said Hasek, who recorded his 37th victory, matching a career high. "It was really stupid what we were doing."' … [Read more...] about Sabres 2, Capitals 1

'Hasek has won his last six decisions, allowing just seven goals during the span.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 2, Washington 1

Throughout their history, the Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed 100-point seasons. They've finished first in penalty killing. And they've topped the league -- or bottomed it, as the case may be -- in fewest goals allowed. They've just never done all three in the same season. Now's their chance. … [Read more...] about Sabres have a shot at history this weekend

The Washington Capitals come into Buffalo with little to play for other than pride, and thus it may be possible that coach Ron Wilson will rest some of his starters. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Caps "In the Buffalo Wings"

When Dominik Hasek and Olaf Kolzig look down at each other from their respective nets, there are many emotions. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Caps "Edge Matchups"

'Doug Gilmour hasn't been 25 for more than a decade now, but he's always 25 come playoff time.' … [Read more...] about Playoffs Gilmour's fountain of youth

Forget all the hype in the media and among the fans -- not to mention the lip service by the players -- about the “critical importance” of gaining home-ice advantage. The desire of the Sabres to start the playoffs on home ice could not -- and could never -- come close to matching the desire of the Bruins to start the playoffs on any ice. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Bruins "To the Point"

Although he had a relatively easy time in the latter stages of the game when the Sabres stumbled over themselves in frustration, Byron Dafoe earned his salary in the first period alone when he made several key saves to keep Buffalo off the board. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Bruins "Sharpening the Swords"

'The Boston Bruins played like a team in desperate need of two points Wednesday night, while the Buffalo Sabres played like a team in desperate need of a nap.' … [Read more...] about Dogged Bruins earn a key victory