Archives for April 2008

'But if Sundin does leave, it won’t be due to declining production. In his 12 full seasons as a Leaf -- he played just 47 games in his first season after coming to Toronto from the Quebec Nordiques -- Sundin has averaged 33 goals and 45 assists per year. If he doesn’t play again, as Maurice insisted, he’ll finish 2007-08 with 32 goals and 46 assists.' … [Read more...] about Sundin out, Leafs career could be through

Razor looks sharp in loss (Toronto Sun) Mats done, but is he done? (Toronto Sun) Fletcher has a feeling captain will return (Toronto Sun) Farewell Wellwood (Toronto Sun) Sabres shoot past Leafs (Toronto Star) Raycroft does his best to dash Sabres' hopes (Toronto Star) Sundin comes to crossroads (Toronto Star) Leafs need to see the world (Toronto Star) Sabres live … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Toronto Coverage

'Afinogenov, in the sixth round of the shootout, faked right and shot left against Toronto goalie Andrew Raycroft. “I had a couple of plans in my mind,” Afinogenov said. “But that was the move I wanted to make.”' … [Read more...] about Maxim Afinogenov scores winner in shootout as Sabres beat Maple Leafs 4-3 to avoid elimination

'“I told the team, we have a chance,” Ruff said after the 4-3 comeback win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. “We have to sit around tomorrow and have some things happen. But I told them, ‘Let’s get to Saturday and make someone win.”’' … [Read more...] about Sabres rally to beat Leafs and keep slim playoff hopes alive

'Following a scoreless overtime during which Kaberle hit the post during a Toronto power play, the contest went to the shootout. Both shooters scored in the first round but neither side lit the lamp through the next four rounds. Finally, in the sixth shootout frame, Miller stoned Johnny Pohl before Afinogenov's double-deke move kept the Sabres' playoff hopes alive.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, Toronto 3 (SO)

'Buffalo would tie it up 2-2 midway through the third as Steve Bernier crashed into the net, with the puck trickling across the goal line. There was a lengthy review of the play to see if the net came loose before the puck crossed the line but was ultimately upheld as a goal. Toronto took the lead right back though as Alex Steen scored just minutes later. The Sabres would get a … [Read more...] about Still Alive!

'Regier said the decision when the blueliner would return to the lineup rested solely with head coach Lindy Ruff.' … [Read more...] about Numminen deemed able to play

'“It’s going to make us make a decision,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “He’s available to play. The thing I’m unsure (of) first of all, is the fact that he hasn’t played all year. You can look good in practice, you could look good in one-on-one and two-on-two drills, but playing a game’s a whole different story. We’ll just … [Read more...] about Sabres D Teppo Numminen can play, 6 months after open-heart surgery

'“Oh yeah, in the back of your mind you always think about that,” Sabres forward Derek Roy said. “You want to say at the start of the year one of our goals was not to look back and say, ‘We could’ve had this game, we could’ve had that game’ and tally up all those points at the end of the season and there goes your playoff spot.”' … [Read more...] about Desperate Sabres in woulda, coulda, shoulda mode

'Roy has 31 goals and 77 points in 75 games this season, his best season by almost any measure. He’s second behind Thomas Vanek in goals, just a point behind Jason Pominville for the team lead in points. He has four winners, three short-handed goals and a plus-14 rating on a team in which underachieving has become the norm.' … [Read more...] about Roy shines as hope dims

'“It’s the same feeling,” goaltender Ryan Miller said. “We need some help along the way, but we have to help ourselves. We just have to worry about our business. Today was a day to get a little rest in and we go back to work on a little road trip.”' … [Read more...] about Players try to take situation a day at a time

'Rookie defencemen Mike Weber and Andrej Sekera have drawn rave reviews while the team fights to avoid playoff elimination in the Eastern Conference.' … [Read more...] about Defensive rookies shining in Buffalo

'No one around Buffalo is talking championship any more, short or long term. The local fatalism, embodied by wide-right and Hull-in-the-crease, is closing in on these Sabres, who so recently were touted as the model post-lockout franchise.' … [Read more...] about Same story, different team

Defensive rookies shining in Buffalo (Toronto Star) Same story, different team (Hamilton Spectator) Maple Leafs Game Day (National Post) Buffalo (37-30-12) at Toronto (36-33-10) (AP) Sabres on the brink of elimination (Sportsticker) Buffalo Sabres (37-30-12) at Toronto Maple Leafs (36-33-10) (The Sports Network) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Toronto Coverage

Amerks look to continue winning streak this weekend (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Rochester Coverage