SabreSpace

'These veterans of playoff wars gone by hold the key for the Penguins tonight. For several important role players, like Ference, Aleksey Morozov and Milan Kraft, this is their first trip into the lion's den. They may think it's routine, but they won't once it's over. Win or lose.' … [Read more...] about Living on the edge

'It's great that Lemieux delivers forechecks and sacrifices his body to block a shot. It sets a wonderful example and shows the Penguins owner can be a complete player. But that's not what he pays himself to do. He's supposed to score goals. He's supposed to create goals. He's supposed to be Mario Lemieux. And he hasn't been this series -- he's been downright ordinary.' … [Read more...] about Lemieux must do more

'Sabres general manager Darcy Regier has told Donner he doesn't want his development team overflowing with veteran minor-league free agents. He prefers a small nucleus of veterans surrounded by talented draft picks and hungry youngsters hoping to prove they belong at the American Hockey League level.' … [Read more...] about Amerks' decision day nears

'There are lots of reasons Buffalo has won three consecutive games to seize a 3-2 lead in the series -- excellent coaching, quality depth, strong goaltending and opportunistic scoring, for starters -- but the Penguins' lackluster offense deserves a place high on the list.' … [Read more...] about No. 2 line's performance could be deciding factor

'The Penguins, so loose and freewheeling in the regular season, have become the anti-Penguins in the postseason. They skate backward as much as forward. They dump the puck into the attacking zone on odd-man breaks. They take early leads, then try to protect them by wiggling their sticks at center ice.' … [Read more...] about Penguins turn up attack, hope to force a Game 7

'In discussing what's gone wrong with the Penguins, Kevin Stevens pointed to that time-honored hockey excuse of not enough hard work.' … [Read more...] about Plenty of players for blame game

'Despite having won three in a row, the Sabres are being extra careful not to light a fire under the Penguins by showing any disrespect. D Rhett Warrener, who has been matched against the Penguins' top line for most of the series, was asked if his team is getting the better of Lemieux and RW Jaromir Jagr. "Are you trying to stir the pot here?" Warrener … [Read more...] about Penguins Report

'"I thought we played pretty solid last game," Lemieux said. "Their first two goals were kind of flunky goals. I thought overall we had a good effort. We could have won the game. We just have to keep plugging."' … [Read more...] about Pens in tough spot, and they know it

'Hlinka has been strongly criticized in the wake of his five-forwards decision, but no one in the Penguins' locker room was criticizing his call yesterday.' … [Read more...] about Hlinka rethinking use of forwards

'Yes, the Penguins have once again been reduced to muttering some of the game's worst cliches, to say nothing of having to play the game one shift at a time. "Every shift could be your last," Kevin Stevens reminded us, as if we needed it.' … [Read more...] about Once again, the Penguins need support

'By the way: Did you know that the Sabres have played and won more playoff games than other team in the Eastern Conference since 1998?' … [Read more...] about Sabres know how to win in playoffs

'The question of whether to use forwards or defensemen, and how many of each at the point on the power play remains a significant issue for the Penguins, heading into Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.' … [Read more...] about Power point problem still troubles Pens

'The Penguins took out New Jersey after trailing 3-2 in the Patrick Division Semifinals in 1991 and overcame a 3-1 deficit the following year against Washington in the Patrick semis. They also overcame a 3-1 Capitals' lead in the 1995 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. They know the drill, and all three said they plan to leave everything they have on the ice … [Read more...] about Penguins have come back before

'The Penguins have now lost three games in a row to trail Buffalo 3-2, and they have been outscored from the third period on in those three games by a total score of 8-0. This, from the team that boasts Jaromir Jagr, No. 1 in NHL scoring during the regular season; Martin Straka and Alexei Kovalev, tied for No. 4 in scoring; and Mario Lemieux, who might have challenged for … [Read more...] about Penguins, Lemieux facing the heat as season unravels

'After going without a goal in four games, Lemieux was asked if he should be accountable, too. "Next question," he said. You would have thought Lemieux had said Pittsburgh, and not Buffalo, was the real home of the chicken wing.' … [Read more...] about Time for Lemieux to step it up