'TIL TUESDAY
Okay, the ice was really bad, but it's not selective -- both teams were affected. Yet the Rangers looked aggressive and had good offensive pressure throughout much of the game, while the Sabres looked slow, made few shots in the first two periods (sound familiar?), and, unlike Game 2, hit nothing. Despite some questionable calls that went in Buffalo's favor during regulation, the Sabres couldn't produce more than one goal on the power play. Kotalik, Drury, and Briere had their moments, Vanek was fantastic, and Miller made several big saves to keep them in the game; however, Zubrus was invisible, Roy was disappointing (although his blatant, stupid tripping of Avery in OT was sweet), and there were so, so many turnovers. Blocked shots and face offs were pretty much a draw. Both goalies were very, very good. The Phantom Mullet had his best game of the series.
Now, I've predicted that the Sabres will win this series in six, so here's one of two Ranger wins. I still believe that the Rangers have one more win in them at most, but I don't think they can win more than two unless the Sabres just roll over. With the exception of late in the third and both OTs, the Sabres stunk like a dead coyote in I40 in August, and still the Rangers could barely squeak out a win at home. The Rangers were dead in the water if they didn't win today, so they made it happen. Good for them. However, they're still down and they lack Buffalo's depth, energy, and speed. Game 4 is Tuesday.
GO SABRES
PS: Don't you love toothless Shanny? The guy is almost as old as me, has played in the NHL for almost 20 years, and is still one of the toughest, hardest working players. Loved him in Detroit, love him now.
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