SabreSpace

'Monday's 5-3 Panthers loss to the Sabres at National Car Rental Center contained more accusations of dirty tricks than a South Florida election. The 3 1/2 fights in the last eight seconds was reminiscent of some Don King promotions.' … [Read more...] about Panthers-Sabres, Round 2

'"[Barnes] was sort of the heart and soul of our team [in Florida]," Ruff said. "I think you always wanted him to be bigger and...a little stronger, but what he brought to the ice and the energy, he captured the fans' hearts in South Florida."' … [Read more...] about Fans still blame Barnes trade for team's troubles

'"When guys are going for knees, it's uncalled for," Panthers co-captain Paul Laus said. "The same guy did it twice in one game, and he's a repeat offender. It's not just a penalty. It's a guy's career. But we're not going to focus on going after this guy. Our main objective is to get a win."' … [Read more...] about Panthers still angry at McKee

'"I've got the utmost respect for the way he's (Varada) played, and probably the fact he got three games is attributed to the way I want him to play," continued Ruff. "But that's going to have to change some now."' … [Read more...] about Ruff takes blame

'"I hoped I would get a chance. I scored some goals in Rochester, so I hope that if Buffalo needs anybody they will call me up," he said. "I'd like to play my best here, and stay here as long as possible."' … [Read more...] about Kotalik's call-up yields quick payoff

'"You try to battle and give yourselves a chance to come back," Essensa said, "and we were able to do that (by scoring at the start of the third). We just fell one opportunity and one goal short of making it a pretty good ballgame."' … [Read more...] about Sabres prove easy prey in Nashville

'If that's supposed to mean the NHL is watching Varada more closely, well then good for the league. And if that's supposed to mean opponents are going to take aim at Varada, well that's to be expected. Either players accept the concept of mutual respect or it's time to scrap the instigator penalty and return to Frontier justice. There's a fine line … [Read more...] about Varada needs to clean up his act

'"Those types of things build character, team character. You care for each other or you don't care for each other."' … [Read more...] about Satan plays tough-guy role as team sends clear message

'The biggest happening in the Predators' 4-1 win over Buffalo might have come just three minutes into the contest, and it had nothing to do with a Nashville goal. Instead, it was Predators goalie Mike Dunham who came up large, as he stopped Buffalo's Chris Gratton on a breakaway, blocking Gratton's initial shot with his hip and sprawling in the crease to … [Read more...] about Dunham sharp as Predators turn in complete effort

'They limited Buffalo to just 20 shots and successfully defended all seven short-handed situations they faced - their second-best penalty killing performance of the season.' … [Read more...] about Plan pays off for Predators

'"You demand that every player has to be on every shift," Ruff said. "You can't take one point for granted. I didn't like the goal they scored, so I pulled Biron."' … [Read more...] about Predators 4, Sabres 1

'"Some guys just didn't have it tonight, and I think we had a few guys who were passengers," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "I thought Dunham made five or six great saves. It was a very low-chance game. He had big saves and he outdueled our guy."' … [Read more...] about Nashville 4, Buffalo 1

All signs pointed to yet another third period collapse by the Buffalo Sabres. They had done it at least 4 other times this season and after blowing a 3-1 lead, the momentum was suddenly with the Florida Panthers. In came Curtis Brown to the rescue, scoring the winning goal when it appeared as if the game were going into overtime. … [Read more...] about Sabres curtail third period meltdown

'The two teams combined for 113 penalty minutes in the third period. Worrell earned 29 of them personally with eight seconds left in the contest. He was called for roughing, instigating and fighting and added a misconduct and a game misconduct. Worrell finished with 35 penalty minutes in the game.' … [Read more...] about Brown, Dumont boost Sabres

'"I said to V that I'm partially to blame for the way Varada plays. I dictate him playing on the edge, and that he is the salt in our team. He can get under guys' skin, he can disrupt play," Ruff said of the winger, who Sunday received his second suspension in just over two weeks. "I'm going to have to be the guy that tells him to tone it down … [Read more...] about Ruff wants Varada on short leash