SabreSpace

'"It's one of those things if you let it slip at all, have one bad game, all of a sudden it's two games or three games or four games or five games. It's something that we definitely need to address and improve right away and not let it get to a point where it's becoming a problem."' … [Read more...] about SABRES SEEK WAYS TO PUT SPARK BACK IN POWER PLAY

'Dominik Hasek and Martin Biron became the first Sabres goaltending tandem in nearly 21 years to record shutouts in consecutive games when Biron throttled the Isles, 2-0, Saturday night in the ghost town of Nassau Coliseum.' … [Read more...] about THIS TIME, IT’S BIRON’S TURN TO GET INTO SHUTOUT ACT FOR SABRES

'Michael Peca warmed up but elected not to play in Sunday's final of the Spengler Cup hockey tournament. Peca's Canadian teammates lost to Davos, 4-2.' … [Read more...] about PECA SITS AGAIN, CANADA BOWS IN FINAL

'Panthers President Bill Torrey named himself general manager for the rest of the season, but he will not keep the position next year and instead will be looking for a new GM. So that brings us back to Regier, whose contract runs out in about four months.' … [Read more...] about WITH CONTRACT TALKS STUCK ON RIGAS TIME, REGIER COULD FLEE TO FLORIDA

'The Senators took only two shots in the first period, tying a season low. But Hasek's fourth shutout of the season wasn't a cheap one.' … [Read more...] about SABRES STIR RIGHT MIX TO BLANK SENATORS VARADA, SATAN SCORE; HASEK STOPS 34 SHOTS

'His shutout of the Senators is by no means verification that his slump has ended. He's had three other shutouts this season. He put them up back-to-back against the Islanders and Devils in mid-November only to slip into his recent funk. He needs to show some magic over five games, maybe 10, either way a streak that begins with the number one.' … [Read more...] about HASEK HITS ONE STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE

'When the Penguins reached into the attic for No. 66, all the theories surrounding the Eastern Conference playoff race came tumbling down with it. No longer does it seem possible the Sabres can earn a No. 4 seed via a second-place finish in the Northeast Division. The conference's three division winners receive home ice. The No. 4 seed goes to the team with the next best … [Read more...] about LEMIEUX ALTERS LOOK OF SABRES’ PLAYOFF QUEST

'"It's very frustrating for me and, I'm sure, lots of guys in this locker room," Hasek said, "because I feel my responsibility, and I know I didn't do what I think everybody expects me to do. However, I still believe I can do it. There are many questions, and the people they can question whatever. But the way I feel, I believe I can play better, and I will play better. … [Read more...] about RUFF STANDS BY HIS MAN IN GOAL

'The Sabres blew a two-goal lead, Hasek blew his stack, and the Penguins blew out of town with a 5-3 victory before a sellout crowd in the Arena. The Sabres were booed off the ice after showing little inspiration and less discipline against a Penguins team known for its skate-and-shoot attack.' … [Read more...] about ANGRY HASEK EXITS EARLY GOALIE PULLED AS SABRES LOSE TO PENS

'Maybe it's not time to give Biron the No. 1 job. But the kid surely deserves to play more. The days of Hasek playing five or 10 games in a row, because he's being paid the big bucks and thrives on the work and is the "greatest goalie on the planet" should be over. He can't handle that sort of work load anymore.' … [Read more...] about DOMINATOR CAN’T HANDLE HEAVY LOAD

'Brown sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee Saturday when San Jose winger Owen Nolan rolled into the side of his leg early in the second period. Brown still had a slight limp while leaving HSBC Arena after receiving treatment Tuesday.' … [Read more...] about INJURED BROWN TO MISS A MONTH

'The Sabres aren't worried. Afinogenov's language skills will be developed as he develops as a player. He picks his words carefully, contradictory to his out-of-control style on the ice. Like many others before him, from Gilbert Perreault to Alexander Mogilny to Dominik Hasek, his performance will force him through the communication barriers.' … [Read more...] about MAXIM PROGRESSING WITH WORDS AND HOCKEY

'"It's been working," Dumont said. "It doesn't matter who plays right or left. We didn't care. He's playing right. I'm playing left. We thought, if it didn't work, we would change it. Right now, we don't want to switch."' … [Read more...] about OFFENSIVE FEEDING FRENZY BY SATAN, DUMONT SWALLOWS SHARKS

'Ray's annual ride with police is for hope. Without him, many families wouldn't celebrate Christmas. And, without the families, his Christmas wouldn't be quite the same. This is not about hockey. This is about helping.' … [Read more...] about TOUGH GUY RAY’S HOLIDAY TENDERNESS HELPS A FAMILY GET BACK ON ITS FEET

'"The fortunate thing about this team is all the guys involved in the locker room understand when we play our best and when we don't," center Stu Barnes said. "We have enough character in this room to realize what the situation is and realize that's not acceptable and we have to be better."' … [Read more...] about SABRES HOPE SLUMBER HAS ENDED