SabreSpace

'To pick apart the Penguins' left-wing lock system, Sabres Coach Lindy Ruff has sent his fastest forwards -- usually RW Maxim Afinogenov or LW Jean-Pierre Dumont -- knifing through the Penguins' defense in the neutral zone without the puck. Someone else then chips the puck softly along the side boards or hard into the corners, and it's the job of those … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'The Penguins, some would argue, have become so passive in their defensive stance that they have forgotten about two basic aspects of the game: hitting and scoring.' … [Read more...] about Will Penguins go on the attack?

'"If we were going to score, we were going to have to hang on, try to get somebody driving off his back side, try to put him in situations where he was going to have to scramble and try to make a desperation-type of save."' … [Read more...] about Sabres believe they know Hedberg's weakness

'Leave it to Penguins winger Kevin Stevens - a true optimist - to find the good news in the wake of Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. "The good news is, we don't play again until Saturday," Stevens said.' … [Read more...] about Penguins remain ultra-confident

'The Pittsburgh Penguins have been here before, and they don't have to refresh their long-term memory banks to recall it.' … [Read more...] about Pens can't forget last year's collapse

'"Every time we get down a goal we try to open it up, but you can see them coming with the odd-man rushes just because we opened it up," Boughner added. "So, we've got to find a way to get a lead early and sustain it."' … [Read more...] about Pens must alter game plan again

'Lose tomorrow, however, and the Pittsburgh Penguins might prefer to run. For cover.' … [Read more...] about A city steels itself for failure

'Some would dispute that, arguing that Buffalo's two straight wins -- this one so effortless -- gives the Sabres almost insurmountable momentum.' … [Read more...] about Cartoon figures replace high art of playoff drama

'"I think the only time we can say that this team is better, in my opinion," Ruff says sternly, "is if this team goes further than that team did."' … [Read more...] about Sabres giving foes a Ruff time

'"It's like if anything bizarre is going to happen, it's going to happen to Buffalo," Ruff says. "I think the mind-set is: 'When are we going to get our break?'"' … [Read more...] about Ruff, fans say it’s about time Sabres catch a break

'"We're a team known for scoring and playing well in the other team's end, but we're not doing it," defenseman Bob Boughner said. "We have to get it going."' … [Read more...] about Penguins watch series lead vanish

'"I think (the Sabres) have figured out the left wing lock," said Lemieux. The Sabres thumped the Penguins 5-2 Wednesday night to roar back and tie the series 2-2, sweeping Games 3 and 4 at the Mellon Arena. "I think we can throw that one away and come up with a new one."' … [Read more...] about Penguins looking for some changes

'Both teams had the day off Thursday, though the Sabres held a team meeting. No doubt they discussed what to do should the Penguins scrap the lock they adopted late in the season and go back to an offense-friendly system.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux lobbying for Penguins changes

'The Sabres solved the lock at Pittsburgh simply by avoiding it, flipping or banking the puck over the Penguins defensemen and into the offensive zone. They also changed their shooting angles on goalie Johan Hedberg, forcing him to move from side to side rather than allowing him to square-up to play straight-on shots.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux, Penguins looking for missing offense — but is it too late?

What a turnaround! The Buffalo Sabres blasted the Pittsburgh Penguins out of their own rink Wednesday night by embarrassing the Pens 5-2 before 17,148 shocked fans in the Mellon Arena. After losing their first two games at home, the Sabres came back and stuck it to the Pens to tie the series at 2-2. And who says having home ice advantage is really an advantage? In this series, … [Read more...] about Sabres smash Pens to get back in series