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GAME 3 FORECAST: NOR'EASTER |
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Danny Briere has the panacea for what ailed the Sabres in Game 2.
"We have to play better--start stronger. Thats it".
Its that simple. Be proactive, not reactive.
Buffalo stunk out the joint for the first 18 minutes, then dominated for the final 42 minutes. Were it not for the heroics of DiPietro, the Sabres would've won that game 5-3.
DiPietro was the difference.
I saw some tendencies with the Islanders' Dmen that I know I would exploit in Game 3. Poti, Gervais, Hill, Witt, etc. were winning loose pucks and sending them 200 feet in the beginning of Game 2.The Sabres would have to turn, travel in reverse to their end, retrieve, then ramp up. That worked in Game 2. Won't work tonight.
The Buffalo forwards will have to be quicker to the 50-50 pucks-- fumbles-- they'll have to make better decisions with the puck. Finally, they'll have to get obstructed-view shots on DiPietro early.
The Islanders D left bigger gaps and backed off when they got up two goals. They Trapped exclusively to protect their lead.
The Sabres have to be better at breaking out in one pass-- hitting the headman-- with precision, short passes to break the Trap. You'll see wquick D to D flares, then the quick hits to streaking forwards.
The Sabres are the best team in the league when they skate for 60 minutes. Game 2 was an example of what happens when you let the other team defend you, in space, while you are not moving with the puck.
The Sabres worked their way through the 1-4 much better as the game wore on.
Suffice it to say, Lindy Ruff was not imprressed with his team's NYQUIL-induced effort in the first period on Saturday night.
Thats why he called his boys in fo r a10:45 stretch on Sunday morning, followed by an 11:30 "optional" skate.
Lindy sent his message that he's annoyed with the beginning of Game 2.
Its now time to move on to Game 3.
Here's how I see this gaming:
Buffalo will simplify their game and they will get a much better result from their forwards.
* The Sabres forwards made stupid, acreless dump-ins and rims against DiPietro on Saturday night. They let him knock down pucks and reverse them out and up the wall, from his trapezoid.
The Sabres will not make the same mistakes tonight. They will keep pucks out of DiPietro's wheelhouse.
* They will have to better better on faceoffs. Should Miro Satan be winning faceoffs against Danny Briere on the game winning Bergeron goal?
* They will soft dump the puck into the corners, make the Islanders D=men turn and have to go retrieve, with their face to the glass-- while under duress.
* So much has been made about the Sabres forwards and their silence thus far in this series.
Is it a sin to have 4 of your 6 goals come from your blueline?
Absolutely not.
All 12 Sabres forwards know what they have to do tonight.
They are motivated, invigorated, and irritated.
Like a Nor-Easter-- Buffalo will storm the Island tonight.
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Gary Borkowski is a HUGE fan of hockeybuzz.com.
Gary says:
Sabres 6 Islanders 3.
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