SabreSpace

After a solid showing in capturing Game 3, the Sabres have a firmer hold on the rope out of the abyss. In winning its first game of the series, Buffalo managed to dispel some of the anxieties that plagued it in the opening two games at home -- namely, containing Mario Lemieux, eliminating turnovers in front of Dominik Hasek and beating Pens' 27-year-old rookie sensation … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 4 "Scouting Report"

Jaromir Jagr will be back, Mario Lemieux will be primed and Johan Hedberg will be fired up to rebound against the Sabres. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Pens Game 4 "Edge Matchups"

'Jaromir Jagr hasn't even played a full game and already he's had a terrible week.' … [Read more...] about Healthier Jagr expected back tonight

'They're still down, two games to one. But the momentum has shifted. Having dominated for large stretches of the second and third games, the Sabres know they can generate scoring chances. They have knocked the antlers off the Johan Hedberg myth and turned the pressure on the host Penguins for tonight's fourth game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres have turned tables on Penguins

'Stevens feels comfortable in this world, but he isn't quite sure how he got here. He is sure that 2000 was the most trying year of his life, and 2001, so far, the most rewarding. Stevens vividly remembers the one night of stomach-turning fear and despair that he thought would cost all the things he loves; he also recalls every detail of the day, exactly 51 weeks … [Read more...] about Second chance man

'"We've got confidence we can score," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "I don't know if we've solved him. The thing about Hedberg is that he still made six or seven great saves in the game in odd-numbered situations and partial breakaways. He's been aggressive. He's taken away some great chances."' … [Read more...] about Hedberg offers a moving target

'Fans and media alike have criticized Jagr for his prolonged absence, demanding he play through the pain. But Jagr, who finally was able to swing a stick Tuesday for the first time since the injury, offered several pleas for compassion, saying he's "not a superman" and he wants to do what's best for the team.' … [Read more...] about Jagr finally comes clean; expects to play

'It's time to cut Jaromir Jagr some slack. No sports figure in recent memory has been criticized as much as Jagr has the past week. And for what? Hurting his shoulder, and trying to cover it up so the Buffalo Sabres wouldn't send out Rob Ray to perform an on-ice amputation when he finally returned?' … [Read more...] about Trading Jagr could be a big mistake

'Yeah, the bum shoulder that forced Jaromir Jagr to sit out the Penguins' past two games still hurts. Those stern words Mario Lemieux sent his way a week ago still seem to sting a bit, too.' … [Read more...] about Jagr expects to play, but says Lemieux's criticisms hurt, too

'Heinze didn't exact any revenge on Kasparaitis Monday and said he isn't planning on taking a foolish penalty to do so tonight. But he did take pleasure in watching Kasparaitis spill awkwardly to the ice because of a slick move by Buffalo right winger Maxim Afinogenov late in the third period.' … [Read more...] about Heinze relishes shot at Kasparaitis

'Dominik Hasek has been there. He knows what it's like to read the papers, click on the television or check out the talk shows and find out no one believes his injury is real.' … [Read more...] about Hasek sympathizes with Jagr

'Some eerie similarities to the Penguins' second-round series last spring -- when they seized early control by winning Games 1 and 2 in Philadelphia, then lost Game 3 with a dull effort at home -- have emerged the past few days, but D Bob Boughner insisted yesterday that "last year is last year, and we're really not thinking about that. We still have a lot … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'Penguins captain Jaromir Jagr expects to play against the Buffalo Sabres tonight in Game 4. He'll probably need an injection and some pills to block out the pain in his right shoulder. If only he could find a way to block out the past six days.' … [Read more...] about Jagr battles distractions, pain

'"He really is a gamer," said Sabres defenseman Jason Woolley, a former Penguins player and, like Hasek, an unabashed Jagr fan. "He's very competitive, and he's the best in the world. There was no question he was coming back; it was just a matter of when he was healthy enough. "Obviously, Mario (Lemieux) works a lot better off him. It's … [Read more...] about Hasek: Jagr's return changes plans

'NHL teams are more dependent on ticket sales than any of the other three major professional sports - football, basketball and baseball - because they do not generate the same television revenue. "Our revenues are largely ticket-driven," McMillan said.' … [Read more...] about Penguins raise prices