Archives for February 18, 2008

'"We got some player that are five, six pounds underweight and haven't practiced that are just trying to get through games. I think the important part is we got to manage that," Ruff said, "it hurts not being able to practice but I think the smart thing to do with the number of games we have to play is try to get everybody as healthy as we … [Read more...] about Ruff Gives Players A Rest

'“We wanted to rebound and play a good first period,” forward Derek Roy said after the Sabres fell to the Pens 4-1 before another capacity crowd of 18,690 at HSBC Arena. “The only thing we could’ve done better was to score a goal in the first. We missed some huge chances and it came back to haunt us.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres miss a huge chance against Penguins

'“Same story, a different game,” said Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek. “They played a smart game and kind of waited for our mistakes."' … [Read more...] about Lots of shots, only one goal add up to Sabres&#8217 loss

'“He’s a big part of why we’ve had success,” said Pittsburgh head coach Michel Therrien. “His goaltending is a big part and he’s making the most of the opportunity he’s been given here in Pittsburgh.”' … [Read more...] about Conklin making most of unexpected opportunity

'Ray remembers a similar occurrence during his playing days, when he and his teammates came to the aide of former captain Pat LaFontaine, much like Buffalo came to the aid of Chris Drury against Ottawa. "Years ago when Patty LaFontaine got his jaw broken against Calgary, that next game back here in Buffalo...there was a lot of attention to it. That night we had a … [Read more...] about Rob Ray: Fighting with fear

'“Obviously, we went from a spot where we could be right in the middle of the pack to scratching and clawing again,” Mair said. “But if everything came easy, it wouldn’t be worth doing.”' … [Read more...] about On the outside looking in

'“You have to feel confident in the strength [of the ankle],” Crosby, the NHL’s reigning scoring champion and Most Valuable Player, told The Buffalo News following the workout. “It’s responded pretty well but once you get in a game I don’t want it to be one of those things where I play one and sit out a few more.”' … [Read more...] about Out a month, Crosby can see the light

'“I think some people mis-assessed the character of this team,” goaltender Ty Conklin said of those who wrote off the Pens when Crosby went down. “Not everybody. We certainly didn’t in this room.”' … [Read more...] about Pens doing fine without Sid the Kid

'“It went a lot better than I thought as opposed to [Saturday],” Connolly said after Buffalo’s 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in HSBC Arena. “The extra day of rest helped out quite a bit. I was able to play a regular shift and help out where I could on special teams."' … [Read more...] about Connolly receives plenty of ice time

'The Penguins won again, this time by a comfortable margin of 4-1, primarily because Ty Conklin -- who was Buffalo's backup goaltender at the end of the 2006-07 season -- looked like the second coming of Dominik Hasek in his Sabres' prime for the third straight game against his ex-teammates.' … [Read more...] about Sabres stumble again to Penguins

'For the second time in as many starts, Ryan Miller was on the losing side of a battle with a hockey puck Sunday night. He fought like a champ, mind you, but it was obvious early that his confidence was clearly shaken after a rough ride in Manhattan -- on the first shot he stopped against Pittsburgh, Miller looked behind him to see if the puck had trickled into the net.' … [Read more...] about Sabres keep showing their sensitive side

'Campbell, whose minus-2 on the night gave him a minus-6 for the weekend, allowed Ruutu to sneak behind him when he returned after a hooking call.' … [Read more...] about Another rough night for Campbell in loss

'But the image of beating the Sabres, his former team, for the third time this season feels "a little bit special," Conklin said. "It's always nice to play well against the team you used to play with."' … [Read more...] about Penguins’ Conklin turns back Sabres again

Crosby won't set date for return to lineup (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Therrien juggling Pens' lines (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Photo gallery (Sabres.com) … [Read more...] about Monday’s Pittsburgh Coverage

'It was an unlikely loss for the Sabres, who appeared ready to bounce back from a 5-1 loss at the New York Rangers a day earlier. Buffalo took control early, out-shooting the Penguins 11-0 through eight minutes and 17-6 through the first period. The only thing missing was finish.' … [Read more...] about Pittsburgh 4, Buffalo 1