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Notebook Now it's too close to call between Sabres, Stars Click here for more on this story Posted: Wednesday June 16, 1999 12:33 AM   Tied at two, it's all on the line for the Sabres and Stars in Game 5. AP BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- How closely matched are the Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars? The Sabres and Stars have played with the score tied or a one-goal difference for all but 26 seconds of the four games in the Stanley Cup finals thus far. Tuesday night was another nail-biter, with the Sabres winning 2-1. Best of three Now that the Stanley Cup finals are tied 2-2, guess how important Game 5 is to the Stars and Sabres? Only this: The team that takes a 3-2 lead in the series has won the Stanley Cup 12 of 15 times. Overflow The Sabres had a great turnout by their fans on Tuesday night, and not only at Marine Midland Arena. With all 18,595 seats filled at the arena, a crowd of 5,000 showed up at Dunn Tire Field just down the street to watch the Stanley Cup game with Dallas on a video scoreboard. Dunn Tire Field is the home field for the Buffalo Bisons of the International League. Rare Buffalo When the Sabres went into the third period with a 2-1 lead Tuesday night, it marked the first time they led after two periods in the finals. Cup officoals Tuesday night's Game 4 of the finals was officiated by referees Dan Marouelli and Bill McCreary and linesmen Gord Broseker and Kevin Collins. Sitting superstar Brett Hull very much wanted to play Tuesday night. Dallas Stars coach Ken Hitchcock, however, had other plans for his injured forward. "He's out -- no matter what he says, he's out," Hitchcock said. "He's fighting it, he wants to go in. He's just not ready." Hull, who has two goals in the first three games of the tightly-played finals and seven overall in the playoffs, suffered a groin injury in Game 3 on Saturday night. While Hull argued with his coach, Hitchcock pretty much felt all along that he would not be available for Tuesday night's game. "He just needs to be pain-free," Hitchcock said. Will Hull be ready for Game 5 in Dallas on Thursday night? "He's really day-to-day," Hitchcock said. Randy's ready Randy Cunneyworth has to feel lucky. Just off an appearance in the Calder Cup finals, he suddenly finds himself playing in the Stanley Cup finals with the Buffalo Sabres. The veteran was one of three players brought up from the Rochester Americans. That made it two finals in three days for Cunneyworth, whose Americans lost the Calder series to the Providence Bruins. "I've never been past the second round," said Cunneyworth, who had played in 42 previous NHL playoff games but never in the Stanley Cup finals. Self-help Buffalo Sabres Lindy Ruff admits that he has talked to other coaches in the league in an attempt to get some information on how to beat the Dallas Stars. It's a common practice among NHL coaches, but not for Dallas coach Ken Hitchcock. "We do it differently here," Hitchcock said. "I have a guy like [general manager] Bob Gainey. "I lean on him hard. I'm lucky to have people who have won [the Stanley Cup]. Bob Gainey and Doug Jarvis. I prefer to stay within the bubble." Hockey hacker There's at least one player's vote for the NHL's new two-referee system, and it comes from a surprising source -- Dallas forward Brian Skrudland. "I think the game has gotten better. [The two-ref system] keeps players from taking cheap shots behind the play," Skrudland said. "I never thought I'd like it, considering the way I like to hack." Change of style Joe Nieuwendyk won the Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989 and now is trying to win another with the Dallas Stars. Any similarities between the teams' style? "The game's changed so much," Nieuwendyk says. "It's used to be more wide-open. Now it's more tight-checking." There is one thing that hasn't changed, though. "Both teams do whatever it takes to win."' Trade talk New York Islanders general manager Mike Milbury has confirmed that he is trying to trade Zigmund Palffy, the team's best offensive player. Things are getting complicated, though. There are two other teams involved, reportedly the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. And a lot of cash, Milbury says. "When you're talking seven figures, and it's not my money, then there are other people getting involved," said Milbury, who attended a meeting of NHL general managers at the Stanley Cup finals.   Related information Stories SI's Pierre McGuire: Sabres finally meeting their match Dallas' Hitchcock muses about starry ride to success Day at a Glance: Buffalo reshuffles Class time: Sabres look for Game 4 rebound Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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