Archives for April 26, 2007

'"There is some recognition personally of the expectation for the line," said Mair. "When you go out with those players, you know you're expected to do more than just getting it deep and cycling the puck. You want to be a complete hockey player that is also contributing offensively when you can. We're looking to create scoring … [Read more...] about Stealing the Spotlight

'He says he can't risk coming back early, because his surgeon says the tendon could rupture again if not totally healed.' … [Read more...] about Gaustad Has Good And Bad Days

'"There's pressure everywhere. I don't feel anymore pressure," Ruff said. "You get a team to where we're at & you want to stay there. You want to try and find ways just to be a consistent team in this league, knowing that when you get outside the playoffs, sometimes it's tough to get back inside them. We want players to come here. We … [Read more...] about Ruff, Renney: Different paths, similar end results

'"It's the same question over and over: 'Do we have to change something?'" Jagr said, raising his voice slightly. "Yes," he said. "And if we're going to have to change something, it's up to us."' … [Read more...] about Rangers need to recover to keep up with speedy Sabres

'“Sometimes against the Islanders we’re rushing those plays,” Briere said. “We’re chipping it in. ... The whole play opened after that because he held on and made it happen. I think that’s part of our confidence coming back.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres get their swagger back

'What a difference a year makes for Thomas Vanek.' … [Read more...] about Vanek comes through for the Sabres

'The festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. outside HSBC Arena in the Plaza area located near Perry and Illinois St. and there will now be a limit of three beers per person for the duration of the event each night.' … [Read more...] about Beer Available Again At The Party In The Plaza

'"We definitely don't feel like a fourth line," Kotalik said Thursday after practice. "Look at the guys on this line, Tim Connolly, when healthy, is one of the best players in the league. He's one of the best skilled centreman, he's just unbelievable when you watch him."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ fourth line deep in talent

'With three goals in 4:05 late in the second period, including two by Vanek, the Sabres blew the game wide open, but remember that long before he tipped Dmitri Kalinin's point shot between Henrik Lundqvist's legs or put Paul Mara on the burning deck and wristed the puck over him inside the right post, Vanek made the smallest of defensive plays in his own zone. It was big enough … [Read more...] about 180 degrees

'“We have a team that can smell blood sometimes,” Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said. “We were doing a lot of things right and finally got rewarded.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres finally solve the Lundqvist puzzle

'“I’ll do everything I can to be a winner this series.”' … [Read more...] about Kotalik sends message home with score

'The Sabres have shown all year they don’t simply score a single goal and pull back into a defensive shell. They keep coming, and that’s precisely what happened in Game One. They blitzed the Rangers for three goals in about four minutes of the second period, making the end quick and decisive. Just like that, the pressure was released from HSBC Arena along with any … [Read more...] about Ruff&#8217s thoroughbreds get a night to feel their oats

'A year ago, it was chic to talk about the Sabres as a team without any real stars. But they’re loaded with stars now, and Vanek has the potential to be the biggest of them all.' … [Read more...] about Vanek answers call with breakout performance

'“If I get my chance, I’ve got to do something good out there,” Roy said. “You’re always hoping to contribute for your team. If you see your team struggling on the power play, you just want to get out there and contribute. Not taking the power play for granted is huge.”' … [Read more...] about Back on power play, Roy makes his point

'"We weren't too frustrated," left wing Thomas Vanek said of the scoreless tie, which lasted until 5:41 left in the second. At that moment, Vanek redirected defenseman Dmitri Kalinin's point shot past goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for a 1-0 Sabres' lead. "From there, we kept rolling," Vanek said. "Once we get that first one, we keep going."' … [Read more...] about Sabres shut up Rangers in rout