3 Keys to the Sabres Winning Their Series Versus the Bruins – The Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are so close to closing out their series against the Boston Bruins. They currently hold a 3-2 lead after their most recent home defeat in overtime this past Tuesday, but that should not hinder them or make them nervous in their efforts to finish things off. All they have to do is focus and do a few simple things, and they will accomplish their goal of moving on to the next round.

Play Fast, and Play Hard

The Sabres have had most of their success in this series when they have played it fast and tough. When they outpace and outskate the Bruins, they make them chase around the ice trying to catch up, while still having enough physicality to wear the Bruins down by the end of the game. The fact of the matter is simple: the Sabres are the faster team between the two, and if they skate circles around the Bruins like they did in Game 4, and control the pace of things on hostile ice, they will have similar success.

Getting off to a quick start has been a moniker of success for the Sabres all season long. Getting that first goal and piling on, or suffocating the opposing team while they skate around trying to generate chances, has been one of their strongest points. It all comes down to speed. Fast goals, fast skating, and a fast start will fluster the Bruins on their home ice. Don’t change strategies now when it has been working so well.

Win Some Faceoffs

It has easily been one of their weakest points throughout the regular season, and losing Sam Carrick just before the playoffs started is really starting to show its impact. The Sabres were dead last in the regular season when it came to winning draws. They had a 45.9% win rate in the dot, and so far in the playoffs, they are at 43.8%. Their lowest so far was a 33.3% showing in Game 4, and even though they won that game handily, it was still a noticeable problem throughout.

Is there an easy fix to player skills in winning faceoffs in a short span of time? Not typically, no, but the reality simply is that they cannot continue to lose well over 50% of their draws and expect to be in a positive position. Winning key faceoffs creates pressure, or it can relieve big-time pressure, and in a nail-biting game that will come down to which team has the better possession, having the edge in the dot could turn the tide for them. With Josh Norris likely returning to the lineup, he and Ryan McLeod will be the ones head coach Lindy Ruff will be counting on to step up above everyone else.

Don’t Panic, and Don’t Play Into the Bruins’ Hands

The Bruins have tried time and time again to provoke reactions out of key Sabres players, and for the most part, they have done a great job of shying away from the nonsense. As the series drags on and with more pressure mounting to finish things off, emotions will ultimately run very high on both sides, and things could easily spiral. The Sabres need to continue holding their heads level and acting like they are the more composed team.

The series is 3-2, and while it is disappointing that it was not clinched in front of the home crowd the other night, that does not mean things need to get out of hand. Leave the panic and the anxiety over closing things out at the door, and focus on the game itself. They have the tools and have been in situations like this all season long, where they have been fighting in tight races, and they still have held their spot or fought to overcome some great odds. This is no different. They have everything they need (outside of a functioning power play…), so go get the job done.