Game 3 Predictions

[Two or less]

Sabres 3

Philly 2

 

in overtime.

 

 

Briere, Hecht and Drury with goals.

[Spandrel]

I definitely could see tonight's game going to OT, again. I just can't see any professional team NOT rebounding from that kind of performance Monday night. I also see it being tied 2-2 going into OT. Once it gets to OT, who knows? We were one crossbar away from losing that first game.

[cgang]

3-1 Flyers (empty netter at the end). Hitch controls himself. Flyers play more disciplined and don't commit as many penalties, Esche has a better game, and Sabres a bit off after the blowout and playing in Philly.

 

But ohhh, how I would love it if I am wrong, Sabres go up by 2 in the first period again, and Philly's fans turn on their team. They can be pretty vocal when the're drunk and upset. B-)

[X. Benedict]

I just don't see any line hurting us badly except the Fosberg line.

That is a huge exception. With the last line change they can finally

avoid Drury and Grier. Philly is still a dangerous team - Philly has to

limit their penalties and play 5 on 5 hockey.

 

I am still waiting for them to figure out that the only time they are getting

their entire team in the zone is off of faceoffs. Why haven't they just tossed

the puck at Miller for him to cover up.

 

The good news is I think Lindy has the team ready, but it is going to

be a lot more difficult to clear the defensive zone. I think this will be

a much tighter game.

 

I am looking for Roy and Drury to have a big offensive game.

 

Buffalo 4-3

[dundy249]

Philly 5-3

 

 

Game 4 Buffalo 4-1

 

 

game 5 Buffalo 6-0

[Fenix]

4-2 flyers =(

[topshelfcookies]

I guess I'm somewhat relieved to see that others in SabreNation are expressing some caution over tonight's game.

 

I don't hate our chances tonight, though I think tonight more than any other night will be when we really rely on Miller. He's been solid in Games 1 and 2, but not spectacular. Game 1 Miller got some help from Tallinder, Drury, the post, and the fact that Hatcher can't shoot. Game 2 he went largely untested, yet still let in 2 goals. The 1st goal wasn't really his fault, but he gave up a bad rebound, then dove and got out of position on the 2nd Flyer goal.

 

I don't want this to come off as if I'm down on Miller. He certainly has looked more like the Ryan Miller of all those pre-olympic break 1 goal performances, at least over the past 2 weeks. He's challenging shooters again and isn't giving up too many rebounds. Of course, the team is also playing pretty lights out in their own zone. Still, I think Philly will really focus on establishing their forecheck, and like X Benedict stated, I think Philly will really make an attempt to pepper Miller with shots tonight.

 

So...if Miller can stand on his head a little through the 1st period and keep Buffalo in the game, I think they'll at least put themselves in a position to win.

 

I expect this game to be tight. Special teams and goaltender play will be the difference. Who knows which Robert Esche will show up tonight. Why I might sound a little concerned about Miller, I'd rather have a goalie who I feel is a little untested, than a goalie who is coming off a 5 goal on 10 shots performance.

 

I want to say that Philly will take this one, 4-2 (Philly will get an EN goal at the end), but it goes against logic. Every time I have been a little worried about the Sabres and have "that feeling" about a game, what do they do? End up winning. They have consistently proved me and my gut wrong all season, and I have a feeling they might be up for it again.

 

Final prediction:

1st period is the key. If Buffalo is leading, tied or down by just 1 heading to the dressing room, they'll take it.

 

Otherwise, Philly wins 4-2. Connolly and Kalinin get Buffalo's goals.

[Rico7]

4-2 Buffalo

[nfreeman]

4-2 Buffalo

 

 

Right on, Rico (great avatar, btw). The blood is in the water and Jaws is closing in for the kill.

 

I'm looking for Max to get it in high gear tonight after a pretty quiet start to the series.

 

Go Sabres.

[topshelfcookies]

I'm looking for Max to get it in high gear tonight after a pretty quiet start to the series.

 

I would LOVE to see Max finally get in any type of gear, let alone high gear tonight. He was our best player most nights for the last 8 games of the season, and he hasn't done much more than skate quickly through the neutral zone and avoid getting hit.

[hopeleslyobvious]

I don't like to predict scores.

 

I already said this in another thread, but if the Sabres score first, they will win this one. If Philly scores first, it's a tossup. I am glad that Miller got a few solid performances under his belt before he has really been tested. That should definately help his confidence, which we all know is a really good thing.

[Taro T]

Filly WILL come out of the gate strong. If the Sabres weather the storm and score in the 1st 10 minutes, they win going away - 5-2.

 

If Filly scores early, they dominate the rest of the 1st and are probably up 2-0. The Sabres even up the chances in the 2nd as the adrenalin rush the Phlyers had starts to wear off. Filly 3-1, end of 2. 3rd period is all Sabres and the Phlyers wonder what the heck they have to do to get past the Sabres. Final 4-3.

 

I am expecting the 2nd scenario, but (obviously) hoping for the 1st.

[deluca67]

Unless the Flyers have six defensemen in the press box that have speed and wil be in the lineup tonight I don;t see why things will change. The Flyers played their best on Monday and gave up a ton of scoring chances. The Flyers are also horrible at home on the penalty kill.

 

The only way the Flyers win tonight is if Buffalo gives it to them. Lindy is too far into the Sabres head to let that happen. I think the late season back to back in Toronto has the Sabres prepared for tonight. Sabres have to weather the first ten minutes. If the game is tied or the Sabres have the lead after ten? Turn out the lights, the parties over. ;)

[Rabbit151]

Wow. All the headlines I'm reading from Philly, the Buff and Canada are praising the Sabres as the best team by far. It seems to me the last time such glowing reviews were issued, the Sabres lost about 8 games in a row.

 

Did they learn their lesson? Don't believe your own clippings.

 

We'll see tonight. Prediction: Miller stinks it up in the 1st. 3-1 Philly after 1. 5-3 Philly after 2.

 

Max Afinogenov finally shows up, it goes into OT, tied 5-5.

 

I don't like to predict OT. But what the heck. A Jochen Hecht sighting. Jochen scores.

[hopeleslyobvious]

Wow. All the headlines I'm reading from Philly, the Buff and Canada are praising the Sabres as the best team by far. It seems to me the last time such glowing reviews were issued, the Sabres lost about 8 games in a row.

 

Did they learn their lesson? Don't believe your own clippings.

 

We'll see tonight. Prediction: Miller stinks it up in the 1st. 3-1 Philly after 1. 5-3 Philly after 2.

 

Max Afinogenov finally shows up, it goes into OT, tied 5-5.

 

I don't like to predict OT. But what the heck. A Jochen Hecht sighting. Jochen scores.

 

Still have it out for Miller huh? :P

[X. Benedict]

Wow. All the headlines I'm reading from Philly, the Buff and Canada are praising the Sabres as the best team by far. It seems to me the last time such glowing reviews were issued, the Sabres lost about 8 games in a row.

 

Did they learn their lesson? Don't believe your own clippings.

 

We'll see tonight. Prediction: Miller stinks it up in the 1st. 3-1 Philly after 1. 5-3 Philly after 2.

 

Max Afinogenov finally shows up, it goes into OT, tied 5-5.

 

I don't like to predict OT. But what the heck. A Jochen Hecht sighting. Jochen scores.

 

I'll be waiting for Rick Jeannerets new..... Jo Jo Jo Jo Jo Jo Jo Jooooooooooooooooochen Hecht, call.

[Rick Vaive Horse Collar]

sabres 31 flyers 1

[Rabbit151]

Still have it out for Miller huh?

 

 

 

 

I'm afraid of how he'll do against New Jersey. The Devils will get scoring chances, and Brodeur is, well...Brodeur.

 

How did Miller do in the OT in Game 1, I didn't see it. Winning your first play-off game in OT against a storied franchise like Philly can really boost a goalies confidence.

[Claude_Verret]

Flyers 3

Sabres 1

[hopeleslyobvious]

Still have it out for Miller huh?

I'm afraid of how he'll do against New Jersey. The Devils will get scoring chances, and Brodeur is, well...Brodeur.

 

How did Miller do in the OT in Game 1, I didn't see it. Winning your first play-off game in OT against a storied franchise like Philly can really boost a goalies confidence.

 

Is Brodeur really Brodeur this year? Lately he has looked like it, but he has been pretty inconsistent this year.

 

I thought Miller had a strong OT in Game 1 (although he got some help from the post on one shot).

[sabre31_98]

I am not sure what the score will be but I do have a feeling that this series is FAR from over. I am not saying that Buffalo won't win the series, but I do believe that Philly will win tonight, and possibly one more.

 

Philly 3-1

[Rabbit151]

I want to amend my earlier prediction.

 

Flyers have a 5-1 lead over the Sabres midway through the 2nd. TSN decides the quintessential boring series (NYR/NJ) is having a better game (3-0, NJ). The Sabres then go on to force OT. NJ wins 6-1.

 

The most exciting team in the NHL (NJ, of course), features the likes of John Madden and Jay Pandolfo ripping it up. Brodeur and Colin White send shivers up the viewers spine with solid defense and sound positional goaltending combined with a steady diet of weak shots from the perimeter.

 

 

Oh I hope they switch to that game early.

[Kristian]

Still have it out for Miller huh?

I'm afraid of how he'll do against New Jersey. The Devils will get scoring chances, and Brodeur is, well...Brodeur.

 

 

Let's not jinx anything here, they're still two wins away from eliminating anyone.

[Fenix]

for once in my life i wish i was wrong ;(

[topshelfcookies]

Final prediction:

1st period is the key. If Buffalo is leading, tied or down by just 1 heading to the dressing room, they'll take it.

 

Otherwise, Philly wins 4-2. Connolly and Kalinin get Buffalo's goals.

 

I really thought we had a great chance to win tonight after we played reasonably well in the 1st period. I thought that goaltending was the difference tonight, and the SH goal was soft. Ryan needs to make that save, and usually does. The other two goals were pretty much dumb luck, but give Foresberg some cred for actually working tonight.

 

Part of the reason I picked Philthy, was because I almost sort of expected Buffalo to once again prove me wrong as they have all season.

 

Of course, I do have to admit I'm a little proud about the accuracy of my predictions. I got the score, the EN goal and Connolly right! And Kalinin played a really nice game (again!). He's putting together a pretty nice series thus far in my opinion, though I have a feeling Dave B might disagree! haha