Archives for May 8, 2001

'"I think we backed off a little bit every time we've had the lead,'' he said. "So far in the playoffs, we tend to think that's going to be enough for us to win the game. Whereas before, we always tried to get that second or third goal to put the game away early."' … [Read more...] about Penguins Upbeat Despite Series Slump

The media and fans in Pittsburgh have started to doubt their Penguins. They have begun throwing away their moose antlers, and they have started thinking more about baseball and the opening of NFL training camp. However, as a team the Penguins have a lot more pride and heart to start doubting themselves. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 6 "Edge Matchups"

The proverbial wall has two teams pressing their backs against it, albeit with different degrees of pressure. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 6 "Scouting Report"

Arriving late that night back in Buffalo, the Sabres were welcomed home with cheers and congratulations by close to 5,000 adoring fans. The excitement and anticipation of the team's first-ever trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, after just five years in existence, would grow to a fever pitch in the days to follow. … [Read more...] about When the Buffalo Roamed: May 8, 1975

'The Sabres can eliminate the Pens with a win tonight in Game Six in Mellon Arena (7, Empire, Ch. 5, 107.7 FM, 1330 AM). Game Seven is certainly there if necessary, but they want nothing to do with Pittsburgh coming back to Buffalo Thursday. So tonight is the night.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hope tonight's their night

'Peca, the Sabres' unsigned restricted free agent, is back in Western New York with a broken face. He sustained three fractures in his left cheek while playing for Team Canada at the World Hockey Championship in Germany.' … [Read more...] about Peca heals, watches and waits

'After 18 years in the NHL, after 1,100 regular-season and 176 playoff games, Patrick is enjoying the game more than ever. The Sabres' defenseman appreciates every moment, every practice, every little nuance of being a pro athlete.' … [Read more...] about Patrick having too much fun to stop now

'"I don't have an answer for it. For sure it was a mistake, especially if you are up, 2-1, and you think you can do something more, and then they score the second one. It was a mistake, for sure," first-year Penguins coach Ivan Hlinka said of putting out a power-play unit comprised of five forwards - and therefore no defensemen - midway through … [Read more...] about Hlinka says coaching gaffe was a killer

'The Buffalo Sabres coach said even though forward Erik Rasmussen has been cleared to play, there likely won't be any changes made to the Sabres' lineup tonight for Game Six of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena.' … [Read more...] about Ruff hesitant to change lineup

'These veterans of playoff wars gone by hold the key for the Penguins tonight. For several important role players, like Ference, Aleksey Morozov and Milan Kraft, this is their first trip into the lion's den. They may think it's routine, but they won't once it's over. Win or lose.' … [Read more...] about Living on the edge

'It's great that Lemieux delivers forechecks and sacrifices his body to block a shot. It sets a wonderful example and shows the Penguins owner can be a complete player. But that's not what he pays himself to do. He's supposed to score goals. He's supposed to create goals. He's supposed to be Mario Lemieux. And he hasn't been this series -- he's been downright ordinary.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux must do more

'Sabres general manager Darcy Regier has told Donner he doesn't want his development team overflowing with veteran minor-league free agents. He prefers a small nucleus of veterans surrounded by talented draft picks and hungry youngsters hoping to prove they belong at the American Hockey League level.' … [Read more...] about Amerks' decision day nears

'There are lots of reasons Buffalo has won three consecutive games to seize a 3-2 lead in the series -- excellent coaching, quality depth, strong goaltending and opportunistic scoring, for starters -- but the Penguins' lackluster offense deserves a place high on the list.' … [Read more...] about No. 2 line's performance could be deciding factor

'The Penguins, so loose and freewheeling in the regular season, have become the anti-Penguins in the postseason. They skate backward as much as forward. They dump the puck into the attacking zone on odd-man breaks. They take early leads, then try to protect them by wiggling their sticks at center ice.' … [Read more...] about Penguins turn up attack, hope to force a Game 7

'In discussing what's gone wrong with the Penguins, Kevin Stevens pointed to that time-honored hockey excuse of not enough hard work.' … [Read more...] about Plenty of players for blame game