Archives for 2006

'"Game 1, Game 7 - it's the playoffs," the Buffalo Sabres center said Monday. "You should be playing desperate in any situation."' … [Read more...] about Game 6 no different to Sabres

'"We only have to win one game to make it interesting," goalie Ryan Miller said. "We don't have to win two games tomorrow (tonight when Game 6 is played at 7:30 at HSBC Arena)."' … [Read more...] about Sabres mission is simple

'"He has not made many mistakes," Ruff said. "There are places we'd like to get him to feel a little more comfortable, but I'm happy with how he has played."' … [Read more...] about Janik fitting in nicely with Sabres

'In this series, Buffalo has scored 13 goals and three players have accounted for eight of them: Daniel Briere and Chris Drury with three apiece and Derek Roy with two. Defensemen have scored three others, with forwards Ales Kotalik and Thomas Vanek splitting the other two.' … [Read more...] about Sabres need scorers to hit net

'With a healthy roster, I believe Buffalo could beat Carolina in this series and No. 8 seed Edmonton for the Stanley Cup. But under the circumstances, it isn't likely to happen.' … [Read more...] about Sabres play gritty, but look to be doomed

'"He keeps talking about me and my team," Laviolette added. "I don't think talk has a lot to do with it. We'll be ready to play. We have two cracks at this and we want to seal the deal (in Game 6)."' … [Read more...] about Ruff: Carolina should be scared

'At the other end, Ryan Miller, who did not look as sharp as Gerber on Sunday, plays every minute. Carolina's first goal, from Justin Williams, was mediocre. The third goal, from Rod Brind'Amour, was almost identical to Derek Roy's goal against Gerber -- but from a worse angle and further out. Should Lindy Ruff now send in Martin Biron? Who knows? But the point is this. Peter … [Read more...] about Kudos to ‘Canes coach

'Having played under Paul Maurice for a number of seasons in North Carolina, Brind'Amour last night predicted the incoming Maple Leafs coach will lead Toronto into the postseason in 2006-07. Case closed.' … [Read more...] about Rod measures Leafs for playoffs

'Originally on the Isles' list of candidates were Dean Lombardi, who signed in Los Angeles, Ray Shero (Pittsburgh) and Peter Chiarelli (Boston). Other possible candidates on the Island are two of the Isles' former Atlantic Division foes, ex-Rangers' GM Neil Smith and former Pens boss Craig Patrick.' … [Read more...] about Isles looking at Laviolette

'Going with his gut has made Laviolette look brilliant so far in these playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Carolina playing rotating goalies

'Laviolette realizes that Ruff is trying to plant a seed in the minds of the officials, but said he thinks the Sabres have been getting more than their fair share of calls. One that particularly rankled him was a diving call on Justin Williams at the end of the first period in Game 5 after he was clearly brought down by Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller.' … [Read more...] about Carolina diving has Ruff ruffled

'There was much brave talk yesterday, which was to be expected, but it all had a rather far-fetched tone when you consider what the Sabres did not do the previous evening in North Carolina. They had the Carolina Hurricanes on the ropes, skating hard to overcome all their injuries on defence, but could not finish them off.' … [Read more...] about Missed opportunities hurting Sabres

'The hope that defenceman Teppo Numminen will return from his groin-hip flexor injury faded yesterday. The team did not practise on Monday and he did not make himself available to reporters, but head coach Lindy Ruff made it clear he is unlikely to play on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.' … [Read more...] about Numminen edoubtful’ for Game 6

'"There's no reason not to be confident," Ruff, the NHL's longest-serving coach, said of the preparations for what could be the final game of the season today. "We have answered the bell in almost every situation. If we play that way [today], we're going to get the job done."' … [Read more...] about Sabres have ’em where they want ’em

'"It's worked. You don't see it that often with a lot of teams, but it's worked for them," said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. "It gave a boost to his team," added Buffalo's Daniel Briere. "I'm sure that's what he was looking for. He did the same thing with Ward and it worked, too."' … [Read more...] about Goalie switch works wonders for ‘Canes