Penguins, Sabres brace for compelling Game 7 By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer Thursday May 10, 2001 1:05 AM BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins made Dominik Hasek lose his appetite. Still upset over how they squandered a late lead in Game 6 on Tuesday, the Buffalo Sabres must make amends as they play host to the Penguins in the Eastern Conference semifinal's decisive game on Thursday. If not, they'll have an even more bitter taste in their mouths. "I didn't really enjoy my breakfast. I couldn't even eat," Hasek said following practice Wednesday. "But we had a good practice. I feel much better. ... (Game 6) is over. The pressure is the same on both teams, and we are ready." The Penguins are still riding high following their 3-2 overtime victory on Martin Straka's goal, which came after Lemieux slapped in a bouncing puck to tie the game with 1:18 left in regulation. "Great players do that," Penguins goalie Johan Hedberg said. "When they're needed most, they step up and score big goals." The Penguins are going to need more of that in a series that has pitted Pittsburgh's potent offense against the Sabres' stingy defense. So far, it's been a draw. Pittsburgh opened the series by winning two games in Buffalo. The Sabres responded by winning the next three before losing Game 6. Both teams have won two on the road, once each in overtime, and the Sabres have outscored the Penguins 15-14 in the series. Thursday's winner will advance to face the New Jersey Devils, who eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 on Wednesday night. "All the marbles are on the table and you've got to go out and make sure you're the team that comes out on top. It's the final test," Sabres defenseman Rhett Warrener said. "With the momentum now, we've got nothing to lose," Penguins captain Jaromir Jagr said. "Right now, we just want to win. It doesn't matter how you do it. You have to win." Sabres coach Lindy Ruff concentrated on forechecking during the team's brief practice. He believes Buffalo played too conservatively with the lead, allowing the Penguins room to carry the puck through the neutral zone. Aside from that, Ruff is confident his team will bounce back. "We're upset about losing that game late. But the only way we can do anything about it is tomorrow night," Ruff said. "We've got to win one game to advance and it's in our building. I think that really is all we can ask for. "If we don't win the game, we don't deserve to go on." The Penguins have a 4-4 record in Game 7s, winning their last one against New Jersey in the opening round of 1999. "A Game 7 is like going to a casino," Penguins defenseman Darius Kasparaitis said. "You roll the dice and take your chances." The Sabres are 1-3 in Game 7s, their only win coming against Ottawa in the first-round of 1997. Buffalo, however, has two players who have plenty of Game 7 experience. Doug Gilmour will be playing in his 11th Game 7, most among active players. Then there's Dave Andreychuk, playing in his ninth decisive game. "It's hard not to treat them differently," Andreychuk said. "You'd like to treat them the same. But it's at the point in the series where one team goes home and one team moves on. You can't ask anything more than that."
