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Monday, November 1, 1999
Hasek out indefinitely
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Just when Buffalo thought it was safe to think about another Stanley Cup run, a bad season got worse for the Sabres.Goaltender Dominik Hasek aggravated a groin injury sustained last season and could be sidelined several weeks.
Hasek (1-4-1) had played poorly through much of the season but was starting to display the form that made him a two-time league MVP and five-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goalie.
Now, Hasek is more of a problem than a solution.
"He's not going to be available for the upcoming games," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said Monday. "We've got to find a way to play better."
Misfortune hit the slumping Sabres just before Wednesday's trip to play Dallas, which defeated Buffalo in the Cup finals.
Hasek injured his groin during the team's 3-2 overtime win over the Florida Panthers Friday and will be out indefinitely. The injury occurred on a go-ahead goal by Bret Hedican with 33 seconds left in regulation.
The 45-foot slap shot caromed in off the left post as the goaltender vainly thrust out a pad. He then slumped face-first to the ice and stayed down for several minutes.
Hasek, who plans to retire at the end of the season, watched from the bench as the Sabres rallied to win in overtime. Afterward, he said the pain was severe and sharp, unlike last season when it was more subtle at first and increased gradually.
"Dom's our superstar and we benefit with him in the lineup," defenseman Jay McKee said. "But Dom's been injured before, and we've had to prove that we're a good team even without him in the lineup."
The Sabres lost 3-0 at Boston Saturday with Martin Biron in goal. The Sabres miss Hasek, but they also have missed their offense at crucial times.
"We're scoring goals at home, but we're not scoring many on the road," Ruff said. "We've got to play better on the road."
Biron is 2-1 with a 2.88 goals-against average. He was in goal for Buffalo's first win of the season, 7-3 over the Carolina Hurricanes in the eighth game of the season.
The Sabres will alternate between Biron, a Hasek clone in both appearance and butterfly style of play, and Dwayne Roloson. Roloson is 0-2-1.
Biron appeared shaky in the loss to Boston, often dropping to the ice too soon and sometimes being caught out of position.
"That's youthfulness right there," Ruff said. "Obviously he's a little nervous. He did shake it off."
Without Hasek, Buffalo (3-7-2) will have a tough time overcoming one of its worst starts.
"Dom's the best goalie in the world, but there's nothing we can do about it," defenseman James Patrick said. "Besides, our other goalies are good, too."
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