Sabres Win in 6

As many Buffalonians anticipated after game 1, and likely doubted after game 4, the Sabres ousted the Rangers in game 6 tonight, sending Jagr and Shanny the Tranny to the links for the summer.

This game was a lot like game 1 in that......the Sabres scored 5 goals to win the game. Really though, they played their two-and-a-halfth complete game of the series and pulled off the win. I say that because out the roughly 400 minutes of hockey (roughly counting the overtimes), the Sabres really only "played" about half of those, which is a pretty sad statistic for the Rangers, and not something for the Sabres to be proud of; they could have had this series wrapped up in 4.

I have to admit, at the minute-to-go mark of game 5 I had my head in my hands thinking it was over. It was just an odd series.

So, as many expected and didn't wish for, the Sabres will face Ottawa in the Eastern Conference Finals. This will be the best series of the playoffs for the NHL by far. You have the best overall team in the league in the Sabres, and the best performing team in the playoffs thus far (maybe with the exception of the Ducks) in the Senators.

Heatly, Alfredsson and Spezza make up 3 of the top 5 point-leaders in the postseason thus far (#'s 1, 4 and 3 with 14, 11, and 12 points, respectively). All three of them play on the same line for Ottawa. This should be tough matchup for the Sabres, and hopefully Lindy finds the right matchup by 19:59 of game 1.

By the way, Numminen is +8 in the playoffs, which is good for #2 in the league.
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So far, for predictions, we have:

Me: Sabres in 6

Brian: Sabres in 7

Barry Melrose: Sabres in 6

Random ESPN Sportscaster who I didn't know who was talking with Melrose: Ottawa in 5.....? Seriously?

Link(s):
http://www.wehateyourteam.com/