‘It’s on Buffalo forwards to accept that this is shaping up as the most challenging series they have faced. Like Philadelphia, the ‘Canes are circling the fort in the defensive zone, leaving the Sabres little room to operate. Like Philadelphia, the ‘Canes are striving to clog the middle, heightening the difficulty of journeys through the neutral zone. Unlike Philly, Carolina has the skating ability to counter off Buffalo’s mistakes. It’s the ‘Canes, not the Sabres, who have realized the odd-man breaks.’