Official Sabres Playoff Thread

[MacGuyV]

Lets kick off my first 3day weekend in forever with a win.
Some thoughts 4 hours before faceoff:

Should be a great game. I've always thought that when you earn a split on the road, Game 3 is absolutely crucial to hold serve because it's usually harder to win compared to Game 4.
In 99, they won dogfights vs. Boston & Toronto in Game 3 to go up 2-1 and went on to win Game 4 rather handily. Dallas they lost G3 and won G4. This same thing seems to be true in basketball as well. Maybe the road team feels they have to regain control in the third game by playing balls to the wall and if they lose they're emotionally done, i dunno.

With the injuries it's going to be tough. The good news is the Sabres have only faltered this postseason when they have a reason to "take a night off". When they play desparate hockey they usually win. Tonight with all of the injuries, they don't want to go back to Raleigh at 2-2 so I expect another good effort, as there's no reason for a letdown circa Game 2. OTOH, I don't think the Canes are going to be too demoralized about losing the last game because they should smell blood with all the Rochester kids in there. Sounds like Janik & Jillson will be paired together - I'm sure Ruff will try to use the home ice to hide them, ie match them up vs. Carolina's 3rd or 4th line.

I expect a well played game on both sides, could very well go into OT, where I'll take my chances with Miller.

Lets Go Bu-ffa-lo