SabreSpace

'The Flyers saw a vision yesterday of their pending playoff opponent, and it looked a lot like the ghosts of playoffs past. If a 2-1 conquest of Buffalo was a preview of their first-round playoff series with the Sabres, the Flyers have every reason to feel as secure as they did prior to their just-passed seven-game slide, and as confident as any team would be that beat … [Read more...] about Cechmanek has Czech this time

'But the Flyers-Sabres first-round playoff series that commences at First Union Center Wednesday night should be defined by the matchup of goaltenders, Czech national teammates Roman Cechmanek and Dominik Hasek. What it will miss the most, however, is the battle at center that used to exist between Canadian countrymen Eric Lindros and Michael Peca.' … [Read more...] about Without Lindros or Peca, series takes different look

'Sabres roughneck Rob Ray believes there is more pressure on the home team to win the first two games. "We're just going to go in there looking to split," he said. "Get one win and go home tied and that's a successful trip. That's why the pressure's on the home team. If the visiting team wins that first game, then you' re in big … [Read more...] about For Flyers, Buffalo, playoffs are new season

'It's a challenge the Flyers appear to be up to, considering they've won five of six previous playoff series against the Sabres -- including a 4-1 series win last year -- and improved to 10-2-2 in their last 14 meetings, including the playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Flyers 2, Sabres 1

'The way Roman Cechmanek has played against the Buffalo Sabres this season, it probably would not matter if the Philadelphia Flyers had home-ice advantage in their first-round playoff series.' … [Read more...] about Philadelphia 2, Buffalo 1

'Roman Cechmanek was absolutely phenomenal, stopping 36 shots to pick up a season series sweep against his countryman Dominik Hasek.' … [Read more...] about Flyers 2, Sabres 1

It wouldn't be a surprise if the Sabres gave Flyers' rookie Roman Cechmanek the nickname of “Freddie” because, just like the movie ghoul, he has been popping up at different times of the regular season to give Buffalo nightmares. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Flyers "Sharpening the Swords"

The sub-plot -- and no insignificant one at that -- is the Sabres trying to prove to themselves and the Flyers that they are capable of scoring on the rookie sensation Roman Cechmanek. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Flyers Scouting Report

The playoffs start today. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Flyers "Edge Matchups"

'Buffalo and Philadelphia each have 98 points. The Sabres, however, hold the tiebreaker with four more wins. That affords them the opportunity to claim home-ice even with a tie.' … [Read more...] about 'Playoffs' begin for Sabres

'"I thought Rich was OK," Ruff said Saturday after the Sabres' optional workout at the Amherst Pepsi Center. "It was a game where he got by, but the performance wasn't at the level we needed him at."' … [Read more...] about Slow restart for Smehlik

'[Sabres] have outscored opponents in the third period, 17-8, their past 12 games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Flyers

'We've got a big decision to make once the playoffs start. Jason [Woolley], the way we want him to play, he's got to be good defensively, but he's got to be able to add something on the power play and even strength for us. I think he's been lagging behind other players.' … [Read more...] about Faceoff with Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres

'"It's going to be a tough series for us," said Paul Ranheim. "There is danger to thinking that because Roman is 3-0 it's going to be like that. I think that is why we had this bad spell at season's end. We started to rely too much on Roman to win us games. . . . Going into there today to get home-ice advantage is a huge incentive for … [Read more...] about Familiar faces lie ahead in playoff opener

'Said John LeClair: "You're going to play them again in three or four days, so you want to send a message a little bit. You want to let them know that you're coming to play."' … [Read more...] about Sabres don't scare Flyers