SabreSpace

'"Hasek made the stops that were necessary," Flyers coach Bill Barber said, "and we didn't capitalize on some chances that we had."' … [Read more...] about Early edge goes to Hasek, Sabres

'The Flyers may pretend otherwise, but once Eric Lindros -- seemingly the embodiment of hockey expectation since the day he was born -- left the Flyers, so too did their acknowledged status as perennial contenders.' … [Read more...] about Meeting expectations, Flyers quiet in opener

'Though Cechmanek played well enough in Periods 2 and 3 to keep the Flyers close, his shaky first-period effort permitted the Sabres to grab a lead ... then turn it over to their premium Czech goaltender, Dominik Hasek, for safe keeping.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo’s start dooms Cechmanek

'Cechmanek clearly could have stopped goals by Buffalo's Chris Gratton and Doug Gilmour in the first period of the Game One of a best-of-7 Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, although one noteworthy supporter of his wouldn't buy the theory that opening night nerves were at work.' … [Read more...] about Cechmanek showed some nerves at start

'The Buffalo Sabres talked a good game. Then they played one.' … [Read more...] about Flyers buffaloed in opener

'The Flyers simply cannot expect to take out the Sabres with a bunch of one-goal performances.' … [Read more...] about Cechmanek takes loss but not the blame

'The Barber-coached Flyers will spend the time around Games 3 and 4 at a downtown Buffalo hotel within walking distance of the HSBC Arena. But when Barber was a player, the Flyers stayed elsewhere. "We stayed on Grand Island in an old Holiday Inn," Barber said. "I guess that was Fred Shero's way of trying to contain us. Little did he know..."' … [Read more...] about Sabres start the mind games before the real games begin

'In four regular-season games against the Buffalo Sabres, Flyers goaltender Roman Cechmanek allowed two goals on 92 shots. In the first 18 minutes, 4 seconds of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, he allowed two goals on seven shots.' … [Read more...] about Flyers hurt themselves in loss

'"He earned his way," Barber said of Fedotenko. "He's very reliable on both sides of the puck (offensively and defensively), he's got grit and he's not intimidated. He'll take a bump to make a play and he'll pay the price. He was not given a job. He earned it and he has not been a a a a a disappointment."' … [Read more...] about Fedotenko proving he belongs

'Under normal circumstances, Cechmanek's play would have been good enough. But with Hasek at the other end, the Flyers need more than dependable work from their goaltender. Fair or not, they don't need solid. They need spectacular.' … [Read more...] about Hasek is best goalie on this night

'Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff finally discovered something he liked about Philadelphia. It was called Game 1.' … [Read more...] about Sabres gain edge on Flyers’ ice

'The Flyers were awarded the penalty shot when Sabre defenseman James Patrick covered the puck with his glove in the crease after a shot by John LeClair. It was the second time Hasek has stopped a Flyer penalty shot in the playoffs. Hasek denied Eric Desjardins in the playoffs last season.' … [Read more...] about Flyers notebook

'The Flyers have won one playoff series in the last 12 years in which they lost the first game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres 2, Flyers 1

'The old cliche says the playoffs are a different season. On Wednesday night, Dominik Hasek and the Buffalo Sabres proved it.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 2, Philadelphia 1

The Hatfields and McCoys may be smiling from above at what appears a likely rekindling of a similar rivalry, given the familiarity -- and subsequent contempt -- the two franchises have gained for each other in meeting now for the fifth time in seven years. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Flyers Series Scouting Report