Detroit fails to beat Carolina

[OpIv37]

I hope those useless bastards lose in the first round.

So, basically, we need one win or 1 Carolina loss/OT loss/shootout loss between our 2 remaining games and their two.

We play Philly, who is slumping but still in a dogfight with the Caps for the #1 spot, and they haven't clinched their division yet, so they will be motivated. Then we have Columbus, who has only won something like 3 of 19, but may be motivated if they know beating us keeps us out of the playoffs.

Carolina has Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Atlanta is pretty bad and TB's playoff position is pretty much set in stone, so there won't be much motivation for them to play hard. On the other hand, Carolina also finishes with 3 games in 4 nights- will they be able to keep up the intensity?

So, do do we make the playoffs, or is this another epic Buffalo sports failure?

[Nighthawk]

Until they wrap it up, I'll continue to be nervous...it's the Buffalo inside of me!

[Dr. Lecter]

The magic number is 1. The Sabres just need to get to OT in either game.

But I too am still a little nervous.

[Dr. Lecter]

I hope those useless bastards lose in the first round.

So, basically, we need one win or 1 Carolina loss/OT loss/shootout loss between our 2 remaining games and their two.

We play Philly, who is slumping but still in a dogfight with the Caps for the #1 spot, and they haven't clinched their division yet, so they will be motivated. Then we have Columbus, who has only won something like 3 of 19, but may be motivated if they know beating us keeps us out of the playoffs.

Carolina has Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Atlanta is pretty bad and TB's playoff position is pretty much set in stone, so there won't be much motivation for them to play hard. On the other hand, Carolina also finishes with 3 games in 4 nights- will they be able to keep up the intensity?

So, do do we make the playoffs, or is this another epic Buffalo sports failure?

Not to question your logic, but why would Columbus be motivated to keep the Sabres out of the playoffs, but the same logic does not apply to Atlanta?

I mean, both teams are in the same situation.

[OpIv37]

Not to question your logic, but why would Columbus be motivated to keep the Sabres out of the playoffs, but the same logic does not apply to Atlanta?

I mean, both teams are in the same situation.

Fair enough, I missed that. In fact, Atlanta may be more motivated because Carolina is a division rival. There isn't much of a rivalry between the Sabres and Columbus since they only play once a year.

[Nighthawk]

The magic number is 1. The Sabres just need to get to OT in either game.

But I too am still a little nervous.

I'm not sure you're correct. Buffalo is up by 3 and 1 more point would give them a 4 point lead on the Hurricanes, but if they win their remaining games they'd be tied with us if we only got 1 more point, but I believe they'd beat us on the regulation wins tie breaker or one of those.

I just want the Sabres to win and get it over with!

[Dr. Lecter]

I'm not sure you're correct. Buffalo is up by 3 and 1 more point would give them a 4 point lead on the Hurricanes, but if they win their remaining games they'd be tied with us if we only got 1 more point, but I believe they'd beat us on the regulation wins tie breaker or one of those.

I just want the Sabres to win and get it over with!

No. The Sabres have the tiebreaker.

Both teams would have 36 Reg/OT wins.

The Season series is tied - both teams were 2-1-1 for 5 points.

The third tiebreaker is Goal differential. Sabres are +14 right now. Carolina is -4. So the Sabres would get in via that way (unless there is an 19 goal shift in those 4 games)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/s...hl/tiebreakers

[Nighthawk]

No. The Sabres have the tiebreaker.

Both teams would have 36 Reg/OT wins.

The Season series is tied - both teams were 2-1-1 for 5 points.

The third tiebreaker is Goal differential. Sabres are +14 right now. Carolina is -4. So the Sabres would get in via that way (unless there is an 19 goal shift in those 4 games)

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/s...hl/tiebreakers

Sweet...

[Ebenezer]

If it comes down to the Columbus game you stack all six players in the net and block it so that they can't score...0-0 at the end of regulation. Sabres in the playoffs.

[CuseJetsFan83]

http://zorak.best.vwh.net/nhl/

sabres control tiebreaker on NYR and Carolina

[trapezeus]

sabres also have the former player night which i believe will provide some energy in the building.

it sucks that detroit totally dumped on us, but i think the team fights for at least one point vs. philly. and i think they pick up a win in columbus.

i'll go cry myself to sleep now knowing that i still fear a chokejob.

[Slim]

All the Bill's had to be was beat the Steelers backup's.


Color me nervous.

[SabreEleven]

What is better than beating the Flyers on home ice on Alumni night to earn our way into the playoffs and not worrying about another team losing?

[ChristopherWalken]

The Sabres just need to win one or find OT once. They control their own destiny. If they can't accomplish this task in one of the next wo games perhaps they shouldn't be in the playoffs.

I'm confident though. They seem driven and playing some damn good hockey.

[OpIv37]

What is better than beating the Flyers on home ice on Alumni night to earn our way into the playoffs and not worrying about another team losing?

and of course, no one is even picking up the game nationally, so it's XM radio and illegal streams again for me...

[SkateZilla]

Not to question your logic, but why would Columbus be motivated to keep the Sabres out of the playoffs, but the same logic does not apply to Atlanta?

I mean, both teams are in the same situation.

one of ESPNs writers even commented on how the Schedule has Buffalo playing Columbus, out of Division, Out of Conference, out of the playoffs team to close out the season.

[PTI]

Why isn't anyone bringing up the Rangers can still fall short? They have Atlanta and New Jersey? Root hard for Atlanta tonight and tomorrow, hope they can help the Sabres in one of these games.

[OpIv37]

Why isn't anyone bringing up the Rangers can still fall short? They have Atlanta and New Jersey? Root hard for Atlanta tonight and tomorrow, hope they can help the Sabres in one of these games.

I think you answered your own question.

But, while I have no love for the Rangers, I despise Carolina and would love to see them out of the playoffs.

[trapezeus]

the sabres have proven to be a fun team to watch this year, btu they also have shown a knack for wanting to take the most difficult path to accomplishing their goals.

They literally close out 2-3 games in the last 3 weeks instead of tying, this is already over.

If they beat the hurricanes, this is over.

I doubt the hurricanes lose tonight and make friday meaningless. i'm guessing, we'll have to watch a columbus game with playoff intensity.

but to the sabres credit (i'm knocking on wood as i say this) they have delivered when they absolutely had to deliver.

[Dr. Lecter]

the sabres have proven to be a fun team to watch this year, btu they also have shown a knack for wanting to take the most difficult path to accomplishing their goals.

They literally close out 2-3 games in the last 3 weeks instead of tying, this is already over.

If they beat the hurricanes, this is over.

I doubt the hurricanes lose tonight and make friday meaningless. i'm guessing, we'll have to watch a columbus game with playoff intensity.

but to the sabres credit (i'm knocking on wood as i say this) they have delivered when they absolutely had to deliver.

I guarantee the Hurricanes do not lose tonight. They do not even play.

As for not closing out 2-3 games recently, they Sabres have the best record in the entire NHL since 2/22. I don't think one can ask much more.


Carolina could lose tomorrow though or the Sabes win/lose in OT(SO) which makes Saturday meaningless except maybe for seeding. (Again, the Sabres need one point, not two)