GGM

More like a penny.

Sadly, I think this will happen. I think it sucks for Biron and the team. Unfortunately, there's no way the Sabres can sit Ryan tonight for the home opener. He always gets the loudest cheers and the place will be bumpin' tonight. So Marty gets the road game against the Sens, which will be the 3rd game in 4 nights for the team. Toronto embarrassed the Sens at home last night, so they'll be out for blood. It just seems like Marty is getting hung out to dry (as much as one can be on this awesome team) in this scenario. Start Ryan in both games.

Oh, joyous day! Like a cold glass of water after a few days in the desert.

I'm headed the opposite way based on Lindy's comments (ofcourse, most of the time Lindy is fibbing) that the best defense is to take the game into the Carolina zone. I say 5-3 or 5-4, Buffalo.

I don't understand how anyone could give the Canes the edge in net at any time.

They were SO close to being down three games to none against the Canadians. That Koivu injury coupled with their collapse in Game 3 took everything out of them. I kind of think the same thing happened to the Sens after Game 1, although it wasn't until Game 2 that the Sens had their spirits completely el_crushoed.

ESPN actually writes a decent article. Yes, it's another "how 'bout that little Buffalo town" piece, but its focus is on the right guy and it's pretty well written. Sabres owner Golisano savoring postseason success EDIT: Not to mention that it actually seems to get all the facts right!

I agree, but I'd even be ok with saying it was even. To say that this is an edge for Carolina is curious. I'm taking nothing away from Ward, but Miller's been doing this all year. In years past I may have thought that the CBS guys knew something I didn't. Now I feel like they don't even watch the games.

CBS Sportsline Preview I had no idea that the goaltending of Cam Ward was superhuman...Because it must be for this analysis to make any sense.

WGR says the ECF will start Thursday or Saturday. All night games will be at 8pm EST instead of 7pm. On good link, one bad link... The Sporting News' Take One final thing. I was listening to one of the Carolina radio stations, and the announcer (apeaking of Game 5 against the Devils) said: "I say the first period, but I had a lot of 'honey-dos', so I listened to the rest on the radio. Those guys (Canes announcers) are really funny to listen to.' They then went on to talk about NASCAR and baseball. I really feel bad for Canes fans.

Looks like at least the Carolina press thinks the Sabres may actually be better than average. Sabres Pose Threat

I think elcrusho's last sentence is why we have the phrase "A for effort". I feel the same way about Buffalo tonight, though.

I was at that 1998 game in Muh-ray-ull. It was Senior week at Clarkson. I gotta say that the fans were very gracious even after losing a heartbreaker. That was one helluva night.

I agree...And to be honest, I was more speaking to those people, especially in the media, (and as much as I like Brad Riter and know he posts here, I think he's flat out wrong in this case,) that feel criticizing officials is only allowed when your team plays well. It's a non-sequitur. The Sens deserved the win as much as the Sabres deserved the first 3...They had more goals when the clock hit zero. Emery was great, as was the Sens' pressure of the Sabres when they had the puck. I also thought Miller was stellar. Jay McKee was the worst Sabre on the ice IMO. The officials WERE bad for both teams, but Fraser often appears to let his emotion towards the crowd affect how he calls games. I think this happened last night. Fraser was as childish as the people that booed the Canadian anthem or the people who booed the Sabres when they had a few bad power plays. I just can't accept a "professional" that takes a "I'll show them" approach to their job. The officiating was beyond old NHL last night. It was Kerry+pal imposing their own rules (in contrast with the actual rules) because that's how they think it should be, and no fans are going to tell him he's wrong. I have no patience for that kind of arrogance.

There is plenty of criticism for the Sabres' play on the boards. From what I seem to understand, if your team plays poorly, than the officials must have been good. I mean, there's no possible way that the Sabres can play like crap AND the officials can suck, right? The Sabres were bad last night. The officials were awful. Emery was excellent. We still only lost by a goal. Am I allowed to complain about God Bless America being sung instead of the national anthem? How about complaining about the knuckleheads that booed the Canadian anthem? Do criticisms of these things mean I think the Sabres played well and were "screwed" by Ronin Tinin or some drunk college kids? Sorry...Forget I mentioned anything BUT how bad the Sabres were last night.

What is the logic behind not complaining about something that was unsatisfactory? Is it merely to feel above those that do? I'll admit there is abuse in that area, but there's no reason to call a spade, a club.

What clowns get to wear a striped shirts and skate around the ice with whistles tonight?

Ruff has to keep them motivated. There is absolutely no reason for this series to go back to Ottawa, and I think there is more pressure on the Sens to at least win one. Ruff has to make sure that they understand that any let up will give that team life.

You're a stand-up guy, Havlet...Even if you DO live in the wrong country/state. The series ain't over yet, but the Sens' gooses look pretty much cooked. The good news is that you're really only a goaltender away.

I'm thinking Sens 4-1 (including an empty netter). It's really tough to call, though. If Hecht is back and plays all-world again we could be in for another thriller. Maybe one of the goalies will stand on their head. Maybe they'll be a bench clearing brawl! Ok...Maybe not. But it'd be fun (until Colin-oscopy got through handing out suspensions, that is).

So what we're all saying is that anyone on either team can score... Well, good.

BUT...If the officiating is this bad, at home no less, can we beat the upper echelon teams? OK...I just hate officials, but I thought tonight was really bad.

Ain't my pet...I just respect somthing that wins back-2-back anything. You see, I'm from Buffalo.

Sadly, he is dead now. (Won "ugliest dog" contest [at least] 2 years in a row).

Yes, I am talking to myself in chat. But you see, that's ok! I am (understandably) the only one that cares what I have to say. As for the game, I think the penalty Briere took with 3.7 seconds left in the 2nd was a very un-captainlike thing to do.