SabreSpace

'"You can't explain it," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "Gratton's goal should have counted. I'm sure if they look at it again they'd agree with it. There's been a lot more goals scored this year where guys have been on top of goaltenders, there's been two or three guys in there."' … [Read more...] about CREASE CALLS LEAVE SABRES BEFUDDLED IN TIE

'Ray is expected to receive a suspension of at least three games for his actions in the Bruins game. Ray objected to an uncalled penalty by trying to confront referee Don Van Massenhoven following a Boston goal. He was intercepted by the linesmen and eventually led to the Buffalo bench, from where he threw a stick that sailed over the head of a linesman and onto the ice. He … [Read more...] about RAY AWAITS STICK-TOSS VERDICT

'Boulton figured he was on the verge of donning his uniform for the first time since Dec. 23 when he saw Ray launch a stick from the Sabres' bench area, over the head of a linesman and onto the ice during Buffalo's 4-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Monday. "As soon as I saw that, it was like 'I'm definitely in for the next game,' " Boulton said Tuesday.' … [Read more...] about SABRES’ BOULTON THRUST INTO FRAY AGAINST LEAFS

'The Sabres might have found themselves alone atop the Northeast Division today if they had covered the Bruins as well as most of them covered their tracks in the aftermath of their third loss in their last five home games. Few players made themselves available to lend insight into how the Bruins continually profitted from Buffalo's shoddy, inattentive team defense.' … [Read more...] about SABRES LOSE THEIR COOL AND A GAME

'The rest of the Sabres came to the game limp of zeal. They must have made a New Year's resolution about not having any serious contact with opposing players. Unlike the players of days past, the current Sabres have a reputation for attending to business, not mixing pleasure with work.' … [Read more...] about PACIFIST SABRES PITCH NO-HITTER AGAINST BRUINS

'"It's one of those things if you let it slip at all, have one bad game, all of a sudden it's two games or three games or four games or five games. It's something that we definitely need to address and improve right away and not let it get to a point where it's becoming a problem."' … [Read more...] about SABRES SEEK WAYS TO PUT SPARK BACK IN POWER PLAY

'Dominik Hasek and Martin Biron became the first Sabres goaltending tandem in nearly 21 years to record shutouts in consecutive games when Biron throttled the Isles, 2-0, Saturday night in the ghost town of Nassau Coliseum.' … [Read more...] about THIS TIME, IT’S BIRON’S TURN TO GET INTO SHUTOUT ACT FOR SABRES

'Michael Peca warmed up but elected not to play in Sunday's final of the Spengler Cup hockey tournament. Peca's Canadian teammates lost to Davos, 4-2.' … [Read more...] about PECA SITS AGAIN, CANADA BOWS IN FINAL

'Panthers President Bill Torrey named himself general manager for the rest of the season, but he will not keep the position next year and instead will be looking for a new GM. So that brings us back to Regier, whose contract runs out in about four months.' … [Read more...] about WITH CONTRACT TALKS STUCK ON RIGAS TIME, REGIER COULD FLEE TO FLORIDA

'The Senators took only two shots in the first period, tying a season low. But Hasek's fourth shutout of the season wasn't a cheap one.' … [Read more...] about SABRES STIR RIGHT MIX TO BLANK SENATORS VARADA, SATAN SCORE; HASEK STOPS 34 SHOTS

'His shutout of the Senators is by no means verification that his slump has ended. He's had three other shutouts this season. He put them up back-to-back against the Islanders and Devils in mid-November only to slip into his recent funk. He needs to show some magic over five games, maybe 10, either way a streak that begins with the number one.' … [Read more...] about HASEK HITS ONE STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE

'When the Penguins reached into the attic for No. 66, all the theories surrounding the Eastern Conference playoff race came tumbling down with it. No longer does it seem possible the Sabres can earn a No. 4 seed via a second-place finish in the Northeast Division. The conference's three division winners receive home ice. The No. 4 seed goes to the team with the next best … [Read more...] about LEMIEUX ALTERS LOOK OF SABRES’ PLAYOFF QUEST

'"It's very frustrating for me and, I'm sure, lots of guys in this locker room," Hasek said, "because I feel my responsibility, and I know I didn't do what I think everybody expects me to do. However, I still believe I can do it. There are many questions, and the people they can question whatever. But the way I feel, I believe I can play better, and I will play better. … [Read more...] about RUFF STANDS BY HIS MAN IN GOAL

'The Sabres blew a two-goal lead, Hasek blew his stack, and the Penguins blew out of town with a 5-3 victory before a sellout crowd in the Arena. The Sabres were booed off the ice after showing little inspiration and less discipline against a Penguins team known for its skate-and-shoot attack.' … [Read more...] about ANGRY HASEK EXITS EARLY GOALIE PULLED AS SABRES LOSE TO PENS

'Maybe it's not time to give Biron the No. 1 job. But the kid surely deserves to play more. The days of Hasek playing five or 10 games in a row, because he's being paid the big bucks and thrives on the work and is the "greatest goalie on the planet" should be over. He can't handle that sort of work load anymore.' … [Read more...] about DOMINATOR CAN’T HANDLE HEAVY LOAD