'Then the Sabres put it all together and played a nearly flawless second period. They outshot Carolina 19-8, finished their checks – and there were lots of them – and scored three times to take a 4-1 lead before a Cory Stillman goal shaved their advantage by one. Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff called it his team's best 20 minutes of hockey of the season and it's hard to argue with him. That period was the Sabres at their best – deep, fast and physical.'