Down 3-2 in a Best of Seven? No Sweat.

[Porous Five Hole]

I admit this can age poorly. 1997 has nothing to do with 2026. But if you’re looking for some inspiration that the Sabres can win this series, I submit to you April 1997. 
 

The Sabres were the higher seed against the Ottawa Senators. They hadn’t won a playoff series in five years, but they were a team in the rise.
 

Buffalo split games one and two with Ottawa at home.  In game three, Hasek gets injured and Steve Shields pinch hit and was good enough to win game three.  But we just lost our best player for the series.
Ottawa wins a super tight game four in OT and beat the doors off of Buffalo in a game five loss, 4-1. Shields was yanked after giving up four for Andrei fricken Trefilov. Our top line and top pair were all a -2 that night.

All felt lost. It was a formality. We go to Ottawa for game six and our season will soon be over. 
 

But a funny thing happened. Shields had a great night in game six. The Sabres were outshot 31-21, but Buffalo got some bounces, Ottawa looked nervous, and Buffalo outworked the Sens. From dead to alive. Still missing our MVP, but back to Buffalo we go for game seven. 
 

Game seven. Barnaby imploring the home fans to get loud before some of his shifts when lining up for a face-off. The Sabres trailed twice 1-0 & 2-1, but found an answer. Even got a lucky face-off deflection goal to tie the game.
And for people my age or older, Derek Plante made a memory that not one of us will ever forget. The building shook for the first time when Tugnutt watched a rolling puck go off his glove and in the net. Golden goal to Buffalo. They did it.  
 

What happened almost 30 years ago has zero impact on what will happen tomorrow. But it was very bleak, it was “over” after game five, and yet the Sabres found a way. 

In game six in 1997, Shields (Lyon) had a great night. Brian Holzinger (Norris) got the party started. Zhitnik (Dahlin) got an insurance goal. Jason Dawes (Quinn) cashed in and it was 3-0 after the first period.  A hostile Canadian environment was quieted and a switch was flipped. 

My whole point here is not that the Sabres will win the series in 2026. My point is that hope was lost, but Buffalo found a way. It can happen again. Go Sabres ⚔️

Edited May 16 by Porous Five Hole

[Taro T]

The OT goal wasn't Plante's only goal that night.  He never fully got his due here.  Especially when factoring in that he passed on a chance to represent his country in the Olympics because of all the injuries at C the Sabres were dealing with in '94.

If there's any justice, HE beats the drum on Monday.

[Porous Five Hole]

Just now, Taro T said:

The OT goal wasn't Plante's only goal that night.  He never fully got his due here.  Especially when factoring in that he passed on a chance to represent his country in the Olympics because of all the injuries at C the Sabres were dealing with in '94.

If there's any justice, HE beats the drum on Monday.

It would be an incredible throwback if Plante banged the drum if we get to game seven. 

[Taro T]

3 minutes ago, Porous Five Hole said:

It would be an incredible throwback if Plante banged the drum if when we get to game seven. 

FTFY. ;)

[Porous Five Hole]

1 minute ago, Taro T said:

FTFY. 😉

An improbable thing happened that shaped my fan-hood. The fanbase is down, but not out. We need to remember that. I love your confidence!

[Taro T]

Just now, Porous Five Hole said:

An improbable thing happened that shaped my fan-hood. The fanbase is down, but not out. We need to remember that. I love your confidence!

I just don't see a point to expecting the team I love to lose a close battle.  They might, these 2 teams are REALLY evenly matched.  But if I expect them to lose going in, why even bother to watch?  I know THEY believe.  And in the RS, they were even with them head to head, but OUR boys got 4 more points than them even though we were not good (to put it mildly) the 1st 2 months of the season.  And if they believe, so will I.

And that Otter game 7 was such a truly fantastic memory.  Our seats were almost exactly in line with the shot Plante took in OT and we knew it was in before it was in.  My old man was with me that night and even though he's too old to go to games anymore, he's still here and like I told my uncle at the OT game vs the Caps as we headed into OT, just am not ready for this ride to end.  He's not here to watch this run, but am sure he is in spirit.  And am just not ready for this run to end.  And my kids will be there Monday.  And they haven't seen a playoff loss yet.  Monday is going to be so fun.  Can't wait.  Just need them to take care of business 19 hours and 45 minutes from now.  Trust they will.

[PerreaultForever]

Well I just hope there's a game 7 cause I'm going to see the Afghan Whigs and won't see the game in real time. No doubt some Canadiens fans at the venue will inform me of the score whether I want to know it or not. Especially if Habs win. 

[Trettioåtta]

According to Google AI:

• Forcing Game 7: A visiting teams facing a 3-2 deficit win Game 6 and force a Game 7 around 39% to 49% of the time.
• Series Outcome: Teams that fall into a 3-2 deficit overall have only gone on to win the series roughly 20% to 21% of the time.
• Game 7 Odds: If the trailing team can pull off the Game 6 road win, they go on to win the deciding Game 7 about 47% to 53% of the time.

Honestly better odds than I expected.

We absolutely can outplay the Canadiens, just need to do it.

[Rubes]

Well, they do say winning the 4th game is always the hardest, so let's hope that's true for the Habs.

 

[OneMoreJimmy]

I think the Habs are the better team overall (not by much) but I truly believe they force a game seven and then? Anything can happen. 🤞

[Archie Lee]

12 hours ago, Porous Five Hole said:

I admit this can age poorly. 1997 has nothing to do with 2026. But if you’re looking for some inspiration that the Sabres can win this series, I submit to you April 1997. 
 

The Sabres were the higher seed against the Ottawa Senators. They hadn’t won a playoff series in five years, but they were a team in the rise.
 

Buffalo split games one and two with Ottawa at home.  In game three, Hasek gets injured and Steve Shields pinch hit and was good enough to win game three.  But we just lost our best player for the series.
Ottawa wins a super tight game four in OT and beat the doors off of Buffalo in a game five loss, 4-1. Shields was yanked after giving up four for Andrei fricken Trefilov. Our top line and top pair were all a -2 that night.

All felt lost. It was a formality. We go to Ottawa for game six and our season will soon be over. 
 

But a funny thing happened. Shields had a great night in game six. The Sabres were outshot 31-21, but Buffalo got some bounces, Ottawa looked nervous, and Buffalo outworked the Sens. From dead to alive. Still missing our MVP, but back to Buffalo we go for game seven. 
 

Game seven. Barnaby imploring the home fans to get loud before some of his shifts when lining up for a face-off. The Sabres trailed twice 1-0 & 2-1, but found an answer. Even got a lucky face-off deflection goal to tie the game.
And for people my age or older, Derek Plante made a memory that not one of us will ever forget. The building shook for the first time when Tugnutt watched a rolling puck go off his glove and in the net. Golden goal to Buffalo. They did it.  
 

What happened almost 30 years ago has zero impact on what will happen tomorrow. But it was very bleak, it was “over” after game five, and yet the Sabres found a way. 

In game six in 1997, Shields (Lyon) had a great night. Brian Holzinger (Norris) got the party started. Zhitnik (Dahlin) got an insurance goal. Jason Dawes (Quinn) cashed in and it was 3-0 after the first period.  A hostile Canadian environment was quieted and a switch was flipped. 

My whole point here is not that the Sabres will win the series in 2026. My point is that hope was lost, but Buffalo found a way. It can happen again. Go Sabres ⚔️

Was thinking of that Ottawa series after game 3 in Montreal. For some reason the Jason Dawe goal from that Ottawa game has always stuck with me; it was just very satisfying if not particularly dramatic.  

Thought we kinda had the 1997 game 6 experience with game 4 in Montreal. Now hoping we can repeat it tonight. Domination is not needed. Just a solid road win. 

[Pimlach]

8 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Well I just hope there's a game 7 cause I'm going to see the Afghan Whigs and won't see the game in real time. No doubt some Canadiens fans at the venue will inform me of the score whether I want to know it or not. Especially if Habs win. 

you sure you want to miss game 6? 

Afghan Whigs vs Sabres-Habs playoffs?  

[nfreeman]

Awesome.  

[PerreaultForever]

4 hours ago, Pimlach said:

you sure you want to miss game 6? 

Afghan Whigs vs Sabres-Habs playoffs?  

Going to watch the replay as soon as I get home. Who knew Sabres would be playing on May 16th when I got the tickets 🙂

 

[HoosierDaddy]

26 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Going to watch the replay as soon as I get home. Who knew Sabres would be playing on May 16th when I got the tickets 🙂

 

My son is graduating from college this weekend. 

[Sabre The Cup]

In sports, coming back from 3-2 to win the series happens pretty much every year. 

[Porous Five Hole]

No sweat.