Canes-Sabres preview

I make a habit of wandering around the internet and checking out the general feel of the fans for both teams in a playoff series. This is the first series that I've seen so far where fans of both teams are uneasy about the other team. "Terrified" is a word I'm seeing pop up on forums for both teams.

Most fans on both sides for the first two rounds "knew" that their team was the better one (even if Montreal and New Jersey were wrong). I've seen many fans on both sides be outright concerned about the matchup. Both teams are near-identical in many ways. It is completely going to be a matter of who wants it more, who is willing to sacrifice more, and who works the hardest. I'm really pumped up for this series - it's going to be great.

How the Sabres got here: 2nd Northeast, 4th East, defeated Philadelphia (4-2) and Ottawa (4-1)

How the Hurricanes got here: 1st Southeast, 2nd East, defeated Montreal (4-2) and New Jersey (4-1)

Stats
G: Drury and Dumont (BUF) 6, Brind'Amour (CAR) 6
A: Briere (BUF) 9, Staal (CAR) 10
P: Drury and Briere (BUF) 13, Staal (CAR) 15
+/-: Tallinder and Lydman (BUF) +13, Staal (CAR) +5
PIM: McKee (BUF) 22, Commodore (CAR) 23
PP: Buffalo 15.4% (10/65, 10th), Carolina 27.8% (15/54, 1st)
PK: Buffalo 85.2% (52/61, 5th), Carolina 84.5% (49/58, 7th)
W: Miller (BUF) 8, Ward (CAR) 8
GAA: Miller (BUF) 2.25, Ward (CAR) 1.77
Sv%: Miller (BUF) .921, Ward (CAR) .930
SHO: Miller (BUF) 1, Ward (CAR) 1

The big challenge looks to be Buffalo's penalty kill versus the red hot Carolina power play. The Canes are scoring in one of every three opportunities, which is absurdly good. Buffalo has a fast penalty kill that has already scored 5 short handed goals in 11 games, including the series clinching goal by Jason Pominville. Daniel Alfredsson is still wondering what the hell happened.

In goal, both guys are playing great. It may be too close to call, but I'm going to stick with my hometown boys and say Carolina in 6.

Game Day Date Venue Location Time
Game 1 Saturday May 20 RBC Center Raleigh, NC 2 p.m.
Game 2 Monday May 22 RBC Center Raleigh, NC 7:30 p.m.
Game 3 Wednesday May 24 HSBC Arena Buffalo, NY 7:30 p.m.
Game 4 Friday May 26 HSBC Arena Buffalo, NY 7:30 p.m.
Game 5** Sunday May 28 RBC Center Raleigh, NC 7:30 p.m.
Game 6** Tuesday May 30 HSBC Arena Buffalo, NY 7:30 p.m.
Game 7** Thursday June 1 RBC Center Raleigh, NC 7:30 p.m.