SabreSpace

'At Monday's practice, Ruff pleaded with his players to give a better offensive effort. He also shuffled the lines and defensive pairings to find some long-lost spark. Despite a second-period lead on a goal by fourth-line center Erik Rasmussen and another fine goaltending effort from Dominik Hasek, the Sabres couldn't keep it together.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ offense still invisible in loss

'Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has been requesting, demanding and pleading for two things from his team lately: passion and offensive production. He got both Tuesday night, in the form of Rob Ray.' … [Read more...] about Ray follows coach’s orders

'Geoff Sanderson and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre made triumphant returns to a city they used to call home. Neither scored a point against his former teammates, but neither cared. Both played well, and a win is a win is a win.' … [Read more...] about Jackets put on road show in Buffalo

'Serge Aubin, C, Blue Jackets: No empty-netters tonight, baby. Aubin tied the score with a wicked slap shot and redirected the go-ahead goal past Dominik Hasek. Not a bad night's work.' … [Read more...] about Game wrapup

'"We should win 90 percent of these games and we need these points," Hasek said. "If we want to compete against teams like Toronto and Ottawa we can't waste any more games like that."' … [Read more...] about Blue Jackets 2, Sabres 1

'"We have gone through it before," said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. "You have got to work to get your bounces. We've got a lot of players struggling and it's frustrating."' … [Read more...] about Columbus 2, Buffalo 1

'Only Peca, however, has accepted an invitation to play for Canada at the Sweden Hockey Games 2001, a five-team event to be played in Stockholm and Pardubice, Czech Republic, from Feb. 6 to 11. It will feature teams from Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland and Russia.' … [Read more...] about Peca to play in tourney but Lindros declines

'Campbell replaces Sabres defenseman Richard Smehlik, who was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 16 with a strained groin muscle.' … [Read more...] about Amerks’ Campbell gets call from Sabres

As an expansion team, the Blue Jackets have shown themselves capable of putting the sting on some teams despite their last place 15-26-4-3 record in the Central Division. … [Read more...] about Heads up! Columbus can sting like a bee

'The veteran left winger, brought aboard to help stabilize the Buffalo Sabres' power play, has petered out along with the entire unit.' … [Read more...] about Andreychuk, power play both quiet

'So much for Lindy Ruff's softer, gentler approach.' … [Read more...] about Lindy gets rough with his players

'What happens when an unstartable force meets an inconsequential object?' … [Read more...] about ‘Special teams’ will face off

'One might think the Buffalo Sabres, currently struggling to score and anemic on the power play, could use a player such as . . . um, say . . . Blue Jackets forward Geoff Sanderson, for instance?' … [Read more...] about Sanderson is Jackets’ gain, punchless Sabres’ loss

'But in all the flapping gums and body blows, Ruff saw the one thing that has been missing during the Sabres' atrocious 0-for-31 scoreless streak on the man advantage: grit.' … [Read more...] about Ruff sees power play on way to emotional rescue

'Both Corson and Tucker promised revenge for the slur. "It's something that obviously will be looked after," Tucker said.' … [Read more...] about Slur sparks vow of revenge