SabreSpace

'"That game sums up what the playoffs are about," Ruff said of the Washington Capitals' eye-opening 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. "Guys that normally don't check, check. I thought the intensity level in that game was as high as it can come for a Game One."' … [Read more...] about Channel-surfing Ruff not surprised by Caps' upset

'"It's important for us to establish a good forecheck," left winger John LeClair said. "It's important for us to get pucks in deep when nothing is going. Get a hit and get it back and start putting the puck in the net."' … [Read more...] about Flyers look to even the score

'He is skating. He is feeling better. And he is going to Buffalo after today's game against the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Primeau could be back in lineup by Game 3

'When the Flyers' charter departs for Buffalo this evening after Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Sabres, Keith Primeau will be aboard. "They have pretty good casinos in Niagara, I hear," Primeau said yesterday, after testing his sprained left knee with an extensive, 40-minute skate, the longest session of the three straight days … [Read more...] about Primeau closer to playing again

'"We want to get in front of him, but in the proper way," said Mark Recchi. "I think that’s going to bother him just as much as it would if you hit him. It’s always what you try to do, get in front of him. But he might have learned from that last year."' … [Read more...] about Today’s top goal is to hassle Hasek

'He hinted Thursday a Flyers loss in Game 2 today would heighten his urgency to rush back into action. All he'd have to do is convince Flyers orthopedist Art Bartolozzi he'll be ready.' … [Read more...] about Primeau’s workout another step forward

'"He's very, very reliable on both sides of the puck," Flyers coach Bill Barber said. "He's not intimidated. He'll take a bump and make a play. He'll do anything at all costs. You have to compliment him for where he started and where he is today. He was not given the job. He earned his way onto the Flyers roster. He has not been a … [Read more...] about Flyers' Fedotenko is a Ukrainian youngster living American dream

'If there is such a thing as a must-win this early in a playoff series, it would be today's game at the First Union Center. The Flyers already have forfeited home ice with Wednesday night's 2-1 loss to the Sabres and can ill afford to fall two back heading to Buffalo for Games 3 and 4 Monday and Tuesday nights.' … [Read more...] about Barber to make changes in Flyers lineup

'Primeau was on the ice for the third straight day Friday, working with skating coach David Roy for 40 minutes. Afterward, he said he is making progress and is holding out hope of playing in Buffalo when the Flyers visit the Sabres in Game 3 of their first-round series Monday night.' … [Read more...] about Primeau skates for third day

'When your route to pro hockey went from the Ukraine, to Finland, to Saskatchewan, to Sioux City, Iowa, all before you turned 21, a 30-minute trip from Philadelphia to Trenton probably wouldn't faze you too much.' … [Read more...] about Fedotenko earns spot with Flyers

'Barber does not expect to see panic in his players when the series resumes at 1 p.m. today at First Union Center, but he would not mind seeing some intensity.' … [Read more...] about Barber to Flyers: Get fired up now

'The implication was that Ruff out-coached the Flyers' Bill Barber despite the disadvantage. Barber said he engages in such chess matches only when he thinks it is appropriate.' … [Read more...] about Flyers Notebook

'However, after Gilmour played center and scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Flyers, perhaps, Gilmour has a better understanding of what his Sabres teammates already know: Buffalo needs a fresh Gilmour to succeed in the playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Sabres veteran has fresh legs

'"We don't want to look at it like that, but it's a big game for us," forward John LeClair said after Friday's practice. "We want to even it up."' … [Read more...] about Flyers face a must-win early in series

Enter Mike Peca. The captain scored 4:32 into Game 1, backhanding one past Tugnutt to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead. Dominik Hasek made 40 saves, including a brilliant stick stop on Alexei Yashin to keep the Senators from tying the game, and the Sabres held on for a 2-1 road win that wrested home ice from Ottawa. If you don't see the striking similarities between the first … [Read more...] about Gratton's goal brings reminders of Cup run