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The Skinny
This Eastern Conference Finals series has all the ingredients to become a classic.
Both the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators hail from hockey-mad environs, cheered on by large, loyal followings in their respective cities that make game days an event not to be missed. The noise and the pageantry in the stands throughout this series will be hard to ignore.
On the ice, the storylines will revolve around star players. Fortunately, each team is blessed with its fair share of game-breaking talent.
In Buffalo, Daniel Briere and Chris Drury form a stunning one-two punch at center. Thomas Vanek had a team-high 43 goals, one of four Sabres to top the 30-goal mark in the regular season. Ryan Miller is among the best young goalies in the NHL universe at the moment, a player who has embraced the cauldron of playoff hockey extremely early in his career.
Ottawa counters with 50-goal scorer Dany Heatley, who possesses an intimidating blend of skills and goal-scoring smarts. He has teamed with Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and center Jason Spezza to form one of the most effective lines in the postseason. Last round, this trio ran roughshod over the respected checking line of the New Jersey Devils. The Senators also have the flashy, and talented, Ray Emery in goal. All Emery did last round was get the better of Martin Brodeur, the best goalie in the game today.
This Eastern Conference Finals series has all the ingredients to become a classic.
Both the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators hail from hockey-mad environs, cheered on by large, loyal followings in their respective cities that make game days an event not to be missed. The noise and the pageantry in the stands throughout this series will be hard to ignore.
On the ice, the storylines will revolve around star players. Fortunately, each team is blessed with its fair share of game-breaking talent.
In Buffalo, Daniel Briere and Chris Drury form a stunning one-two punch at center. Thomas Vanek had a team-high 43 goals, one of four Sabres to top the 30-goal mark in the regular season. Ryan Miller is among the best young goalies in the NHL universe at the moment, a player who has embraced the cauldron of playoff hockey extremely early in his career.
Ottawa counters with 50-goal scorer Dany Heatley, who possesses an intimidating blend of skills and goal-scoring smarts. He has teamed with Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson and center Jason Spezza to form one of the most effective lines in the postseason. Last round, this trio ran roughshod over the respected checking line of the New Jersey Devils. The Senators also have the flashy, and talented, Ray Emery in goal. All Emery did last round was get the better of Martin Brodeur, the best goalie in the game today.
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