Home ice

[Stoner]

I've always been torn about it. I love the idea of winning Game 1 or 2 on the road (or both!), then coming home for three of four games in the heart of the series. That makes me wonder who actually has home ice in a series.

 

I know, I know... Game 7. I guess you want to be at home, but that brings pressure too. I seem to remember a stat about road teams having better than expected success in deciding games.

 

Anyway, here are some Lindy Ruff playoff numbers to chew on.

 

16 playoff series

4-2 with home ice

6-4 without

 

Sabres are 8-2 in Game 1 on the road

Still lost three of those series -- and they were big ones, Washington in 98, Dallas in 99 and Carolina in 06

 

Sabres are 4-2 in Game 1 at home. The winner of Game 1 in Buffalo has won every series (lost series to Pittsburgh in '01 and Ottawa in '06 edit: meant '07).

 

Maybe it doesn't matter.

[inkman]

I have a weird feeling that after the first round, if the Sabres survive, they may be the highest seed remaining.

[spndnchz]

I'd rather play NJ in Jersey than Pitts in Buffalo. But you'd think you want home ice. Get up 2 games on your opponent really takes the steam out of them.

[Canadian Sabre]

I would rather be away in a game seven, the pressure on them, not you. I think it really does depend on the way a team plays. Good teams can play home or away. I remember last year, the Pens got spanked in game five in Detroit. And then won the cup there two games later..

[Kristian]

I would rather be away in a game seven, the pressure on them, not you. I think it really does depend on the way a team plays. Good teams can play home or away. I remember last year, the Pens got spanked in game five in Detroit. And then won the cup there two games later..

 

Buffalo has never won a game 7, so my advice would be to avoid them at all cost.

 

0 for 5.

[wonderbread]

Buffalo has never won a game 7, so my advice would be to avoid them at all cost.

 

0 for 5.

 

 

 

 

yucky :sick:

[spndnchz]

Buffalo has never won a game 7, so my advice would be to avoid them at all cost.

 

0 for 5.

 

Um. 1997. A team named Ottawa.

[Buffalo Wings]

I'd rather play NJ in Jersey than Pitts in Buffalo. But you'd think you want home ice. Get up 2 games on your opponent really takes the steam out of them.

And it puts pressure on them. Most of the time, I'd still rather open the series at home, but I agree with chz here - for some reason, NJ doesn't scare me as much as the Crosbys do.

[ReneRobert]

Um. 1997. A team named Ottawa.

 

 

Well played. :thumbsup:

 

 

"Are you ready, Legion of Doom....?"

[spndnchz]

Well played. :thumbsup:

 

 

"Are you ready, Legion of Doom....?"

 

:thumbsup:

[wonderbread]

:thumbsup:

Awwwef'nsome :worthy:

[Dave Dryden]

I'd rather play NJ in Jersey than Pitts in Buffalo. But you'd think you want home ice. Get up 2 games on your opponent really takes the steam out of them.

Exactly. You have more succinctly stated the point I was trying to make vis Pitt and NJ.

[Stoner]

:thumbsup:

 

One of Rick's better calls, IMHO.

[Dave Dryden]

Well played. :thumbsup:

 

 

"Are you ready, Legion of Doom....?"

The name of Philly's line that year of Lindros, LeClair and Renberg(?)... the win must have set up a round 2 matchup with the Flyers

[ReneRobert]

The name of Philly's line that year of Lindros, LeClair and Renberg(?)... the win must have set up a round 2 matchup with the Flyers

 

 

Yes, it did, Dave. I was quoting Ricky J, not asking. ;)

 

 

P.S. Thanks for the mp3 chz! :thumbsup:

[spndnchz]

How 'bout "back to where Jimmy Hoffa is"

 

 

[Kristian]

Um. 1997. A team named Ottawa.

 

Wow, I'm definitely getting old :wallbash:

[wjag]

I'll take Home Ice every time. If you can't win at home in front of your fans, well...

[Bmwolf21]

:thumbsup:

:worthy: :worthy: :worthy:

[LabattBlue]

I'll take Home Ice every time.

Me too.