After missing out on a chance to go to last year’s Stanley Cup
Final because of a Game 7 loss in the Eastern Conference Final, the
Buffalo Sabres expected to be here. After being swept away in a
stunning four-game sweep by their bitter rival, New Jersey, in the
first-round last year, the New York Rangers are happy to be here.
Yet, both teams believe they can win now that they have arrived
here.
Buffalo struggled some against the Islanders in the first round,
but let’s not forget that the Sabres were the best team in the regular
season and remain the most offensively balanced club left in this
tournament.
The Rangers are well aware they finished 19 points behind the
Sabres in the regular season and scored 66 fewer regular-season goals.
But now, none of that matters. The Blueshirts are flying high after a
four-game sweep of Atlanta; a series that saw the Thrasher offense
generate just six goals, including just one from the team’s
three-highest-scoring forwards in the regular season.
Each team knows it will have to raise its game at least one notch,
if not more, from the effort that was good enough in the first round.
And, each knows that this round will likely be played at a breakneck
speed that, fortunately, plays right into the hands of the skill guys
on each team.
So, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride!
Buffalo Game Breakers
Toni Lydman
– Not the biggest
name on the Sabres, Lydman remains among the most important players on
the Buffalo roster. The veteran defenseman leads the Sabres in ice
time in these playoffs, seeing a little more than 22 minutes per game.
He plays major minutes on the penalty kill, as well. All of which
means he will see some serious time against the Rangers’ top line of
Jagr, Nylander and Marcel Hossa. His ability to keep that trio in
check, and limit the effectiveness of New York’s potent power-play
unit, will be among the keys to this series.
Chris Drury
– With a team-leading four goals in the first round, including a pair
of game-winning tallies, Drury has further bolstered his reputation as
a clutch player that thrives on the biggest stages sport can provide.
Not only does Drury already own a Stanley Cup ring (2001, Colorado)
and 103 games of postseason experience; he is also averaging a point
per game in the postseason during the last two years, compiling 13
goals and 10 assists in a 23-game span.
Ryan Miller
– Because of Buffalo’s clear skill advantage over the Islanders
in the first round, Ryan Miller merely had to be good to see his team
through to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. His 2.21 GAA was topped
by six other playoff starters, including the Rangers’ Lundqvist
(1.50). His .918 save percentage was bested by eight other goalies
with as many starts as Miller, again including Lundqvist. Miller knows
he will have to be better and proved during last year’s stunning march
to the Eastern Conference Finals that he can be better.
