It seems as if game two was the complete antitheses of game one. Instead of a tight checking game with few chances, both teams played wide open and tried to outscore each other.
My only thoughts on the outcome revolved around the defensive zone for the Sabres. If any one of the four players who let Claude Giroux waltz in for his first goal had taken the body, that goal never happens. If Ryan Miller was on his game James van Riemsdyk and Ville Leino don’t earn their tallies. Truthfully, if Andrej Sekera wasn’t in the lineup it may have been a better game for the Sabres. Miller wasn’t the player he was in-game one but Sekera was horrendous in his zone. I think it is safe to assume that his upper-body injury hasn’t healed fully and the thought of Dennis Persson playing in that game was beyond ludicrous.
Despite Shaone Morrisonn’s poor play during the regular season, I feel like he is well suited for the playoffs. My reasoning comes from the way the Craig Rivet and Steve Montador played in the Bruins’ series last year. Often during the regular season they were too sluggish to be effective. In the playoffs, when free space is at a premium, they were both very effective. I feel that Morrisonn, being much more physical than Sekera, offers a more effective blue liner for Buffalo. Of course his injury is keeping him out as well so this really doesn’t matter. the point is that when both are healthy, Morrisonn might just be my choice.
What might have been lost in the deluge of a six goal first period was the fact that Buffalo came away with a split. Atlas Vanek showed he will be a factor, as did the power play. Those two things are key for the Sabres’ success. If Brad Boyes and his line can wake up Buffalo will be in fine shape.
Tonight has all the ingredients for a classic swing game. If Philly takes the win; it will be two-straight for the Flyers and they will have stolen the momentum. If the Sabres win they can sleep soundly at home waiting for game four with a 2-1 lead.
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