By losing to Buffalo, the Penguins fell three points behind Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The streets lining Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena are draped with banners celebrating the Penguins' first playoff appearance in six years. The Buffalo Sabres gave the home team a reminder of what it takes to win in the postseason.
The Sabres clinched the Northeast Division and wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in 27 years, slowing Pittsburgh's rush to the postseason with a 4-1 victory Tuesday night.
In a possible playoff preview, Thomas Vanek scored his 40th and Jason Pominville scored slightly more than a minute later in the third period to put the Sabres up by three in only their fourth victory in Pittsburgh in 10 years. They had been 3-12-5-1 there since the 1996-97 season.
Not in awe
Clearly, the Sabres weren't awed by the huge sign celebrating Penguins stars such as Sidney Crosby that covers nearly one side of a building near the arena.
"We took care of the puck, we didn't make a lot of mistakes and we didn't give them a lot of opportunities," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "We took a lot of pride in playing in our own end."
And of winning the conference, too, though there weren't any champagne bottles or celebratory T-shirts on display.
The Sabres made certain their final three games, all against non-playoff teams, will effectively mean nothing as Dmitri Kalinin and Derek Roy scored in Buffalo's 51st victory.
"It's a nice accomplishment, but it's not the ultimate goal," all-star Daniel Briere said. "There's a lot more to be done. We don't get too carried away with that. It's nice to have home-ice advantage at the start of playoffs, but that's where it stops."
Buffalo last won a conference title, the Prince of Wales, in the 1979-80 season and hadn't won its division in 10 years.
"We set lofty goals and to secure home ice is a heck of an accomplishment," Ruff said.
Trophy chase
The Sabres remained one point behind Detroit (110-109) for the Presidents' Trophy, which goes to the team with the most points during the season. The Red Wings beat Columbus 3-0, but have one fewer game remaining than Buffalo.
By losing, the Penguins fell three points behind Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey — a 2-1 shootout winner over Ottawa — for the division lead and second place in the conference. Both teams have two games remaining.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
By losing to Buffalo, the Penguins fell three points behind Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The streets lining Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena are draped with banners celebrating the Penguins' first playoff appearance in six years. The Buffalo Sabres gave the home team a reminder of what it takes to win in the postseason.
The Sabres clinched the Northeast Division and wrapped up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in 27 years, slowing Pittsburgh's rush to the postseason with a 4-1 victory Tuesday night.
In a possible playoff preview, Thomas Vanek scored his 40th and Jason Pominville scored slightly more than a minute later in the third period to put the Sabres up by three in only their fourth victory in Pittsburgh in 10 years. They had been 3-12-5-1 there since the 1996-97 season.
Not in awe
Clearly, the Sabres weren't awed by the huge sign celebrating Penguins stars such as Sidney Crosby that covers nearly one side of a building near the arena.
"We took care of the puck, we didn't make a lot of mistakes and we didn't give them a lot of opportunities," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "We took a lot of pride in playing in our own end."
And of winning the conference, too, though there weren't any champagne bottles or celebratory T-shirts on display.
The Sabres made certain their final three games, all against non-playoff teams, will effectively mean nothing as Dmitri Kalinin and Derek Roy scored in Buffalo's 51st victory.
"It's a nice accomplishment, but it's not the ultimate goal," all-star Daniel Briere said. "There's a lot more to be done. We don't get too carried away with that. It's nice to have home-ice advantage at the start of playoffs, but that's where it stops."
Buffalo last won a conference title, the Prince of Wales, in the 1979-80 season and hadn't won its division in 10 years.
"We set lofty goals and to secure home ice is a heck of an accomplishment," Ruff said.
Trophy chase
The Sabres remained one point behind Detroit (110-109) for the Presidents' Trophy, which goes to the team with the most points during the season. The Red Wings beat Columbus 3-0, but have one fewer game remaining than Buffalo.
By losing, the Penguins fell three points behind Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey — a 2-1 shootout winner over Ottawa — for the division lead and second place in the conference. Both teams have two games remaining.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
The streets lining Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena are draped with banners celebrating the Penguins' first playoff appearance...
