SabreSpace

'For a team that keeps repeating history, the Pittsburgh Penguins don't seem to learn from it.' … [Read more...] about Penguins number could be up again in Game 6

The Sabres were down 2-0. Their power play was 0-4. They had exactly one goal in over seven periods at home against Johan Hedberg and the Penguins, who both suddenly looked unbeatable again. And there was Super Mario playing like someone deserving of a Selke, not a Hart, Trophy. It got eerily quiet in HSBC Arena. … [Read more...] about Comeback has Sabres singing a different tune

It was a given that the Penguins would go to their superstars, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, in the pivotal swing game of the series. Lindy Ruff had to thus rely on his defensive ace to match up and contain the two -- and Curtis Brown excelled in perhaps his best outing of the playoffs. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 5 "Sharpening the Swords"

'"We didn't play the first the way we wanted to," Barnes said. "We got away from what made us successful. We turned a lot of pucks over and against that team you just can't do that. They're going to score goals."' … [Read more...] about Stu-pendous comeback

'Though Jagr had the game's first goal, off a pinpoint pass from Mario Lemieux, he seemed frustrated by the attention Brown paid him.' … [Read more...] about Brown makes Jagr see red

'"I thought we had the game in our hands - I thought we were going to win the game," Jagr said. Darius Kasparitis concurred: "We were up, 2-0, and I thought, "We've got the game.'"' … [Read more...] about Penguins' train derailed again after strong start

'Now that everyone knows you call all the shots in Pittsburgh, you might want to do a little brainstorming over the next couple days because your Penguins are plummeting like a California dot.com. It doesn't happen often, unless you recall last year's collapse against Philadelphia, but who's counting?' … [Read more...] about The boss should look in the mirror

'No matter how the Buffalo Sabres series with Pittsburgh turns out, their comeback from a two-games-to-none deficit in a hostile arena is another major reason why people get so much enjoyment out of sports.' … [Read more...] about Excitement of Stanley Cup playoffs defies logic

'"We didn't execute very well on the power play. I thought we made some errant passes and ended up with the puck along the wall a lot. We didn't get a lot of control time. I think we're fortunate to win the game, as poorly as our power play was going, because that had opportunities to win it for us."' … [Read more...] about Plenty of practice, but power play unable to capitalize very often

'The Pittsburgh Penguins aren't just looking bad on the ice right now. Penguins general manager Craig Patrick has been taking a beating in this series as well.' … [Read more...] about Former-Pens continue to burn ex-teammates

'Slowly, but surely the Pittsburgh Penguins are nearing a second-round exit from the National Hockey League playoffs for the third straight year, and there doesn't appear to be anything they can do about it.' … [Read more...] about Pens limp home with season on the line

'Slowly, but surely the Pittsburgh Penguins are nearing a second-round exit from the National Hockey League playoffs for the third straight year, and there doesn't appear to be anything they can do about it.' … [Read more...] about Pens limp home with season on the line

'Just a week ago you read in this same space that the Penguins, who were up 2-0, would take out the Sabres in four straight and how the Penguins couldn't collapse as they did last year in the second round against Philadelphia. Instead, what we are seeing from the Penguins seems to be history repeating itself.' … [Read more...] about Pens' collapse looks very familiar

'"I was surprised," Kraft said. "I ate lunch (Friday). Then, I got the call. I had to go to my apartment to pick up some stuff, jumped in my car and drove about 4 1/2 hours from Wilkes-Barre to Buffalo. I don't know how long I'll be here, but now we have to go back to Pittsburgh and win there."' … [Read more...] about Kraft surprised by call-up

'"They dumped the puck and we tried to hold them up. Sometimes, it seemed like they fold easy and the referees are reacting right away," Penguins defenseman Darius Kasparaitis said. "We have to be more careful holding them up because if they are going to fall down all the time, we're going to get penalties."' … [Read more...] about Too many penalties hurt Penguins in Game 5