by Shawn Sillinger
Briere saved season
The Carolina Hurricanes had hoped to come up with a win on Tuesday night to knock the Buffalo Sabres out of the Eastern Conference Finals. Instead, an overtime marker by Sabres center Daniel Briere has forced a seventh and deciding game on Thursday.
The Canes had seemed to be in control of this series, and looked like a good bet to win Game 6 in Buffalo. After getting behind 3-1 early in Game 5, the Canes had stormed back with three unanswered goals including the overtime winner by Cory Stillman, and some solid relief netminding by Cam Ward to take a commanding 3-2 lead in the series.
And Ward would get the start in Game 6, sending Martin Gerber back to the Canes? bench. The Sabres would get to the youngster early in the game, as J.P. Dumont found the back of the net at just 4:56 of the first period. That goal would stand alone on the scoreboard until late in the third frame, when Bret Hedican finally replied for the Canes.
So Game 6 became the series? second straight contest to go to overtime. But the extra period wouldn?t go long into the night - Briere?s goal came on a power play just four minutes in, and tied up the series at three games apiece. Ward allowed those two goals on 31 shots in the defeat, while Ryan Miller stopped 25 of 26 shots for the winning side.
Teppo Numminen returned to action for Buffalo in Game 6, but didn?t play after the first period. His status for Game 7 is up in the air, which means Jeff Jillson could find himself back in the team?s lineup. Blueliners Dmitri Kalinin and Henrik Tallinder are also out of action for Buffalo, so Numminen will likely do everything possible to suit up on Thursday.
With Game 7 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, the Sabres will have to pull out a road win in order to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Buffalo was victorious on the road in Game 1, but the Hurricanes won both Game 2 and Game 5 in their own building. Overall, the home team has a 4-2 record in this set, with the roadies winning Game 1 and Game 4.
UNDER bettors found Game 6 to their liking, as the score was 1-0 for the bulk of the contest and never approached the posted total. Game 6 marked the third UNDER result of this series, but at the RBC Center the totals action is skewed 2-1 to the OVER result.
Overall during the playoffs there have been five OVER results at the RBC Center, compared to four UNDER results. The Hurricanes have been listed as home favorites in all nine of the postseason games played in Raleigh, and they have rewarded their supporters with a 6-3 record in those games. Two of Carolina?s three home losses came in their first two games of the playoffs, when they got into a hole versus the Canadiens.
And that other home loss was of course against Buffalo to open the Eastern Conference Finals. Can the Sabres pull out another road win at the RBC Center? Buffalo?s lack of defensive depth is clearly catching up to them, and it allowed the Canes to put them on the brink of elimination in Game 6. With Numminen hurting, and the replacements spotty, winning on Thursday night in front of a hostile crowd will be a tough assignment.
Regardless of Thursday?s outcome the Stanley Cup Finals will get underway on Monday night at the home arena of the Eastern Conference champion. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, while the series will then shift to Edmonton for both Game 3 and Game 4. The Oilers, who last played on May 27, will be well rested for the series to say the least.
For NHL odds click here .
Briere saved season
The Carolina Hurricanes had hoped to come up with a win on Tuesday night to knock the Buffalo Sabres out of the Eastern Conference Finals. Instead, an overtime marker by Sabres center Daniel Briere has forced a seventh and deciding game on Thursday.
The Canes had seemed to be in control of this series, and looked like a good bet to win Game 6 in Buffalo. After getting behind 3-1 early in Game 5, the Canes had stormed back with three unanswered goals including the overtime winner by Cory Stillman, and some solid relief netminding by Cam Ward to take a commanding 3-2 lead in the series.
And Ward would get the start in Game 6, sending Martin Gerber back to the Canes? bench. The Sabres would get to the youngster early in the game, as J.P. Dumont found the back of the net at just 4:56 of the first period. That goal would stand alone on the scoreboard until late in the third frame, when Bret Hedican finally replied for the Canes.
So Game 6 became the series? second straight contest to go to overtime. But the extra period wouldn?t go long into the night - Briere?s goal came on a power play just four minutes in, and tied up the series at three games apiece. Ward allowed those two goals on 31 shots in the defeat, while Ryan Miller stopped 25 of 26 shots for the winning side.
Teppo Numminen returned to action for Buffalo in Game 6, but didn?t play after the first period. His status for Game 7 is up in the air, which means Jeff Jillson could find himself back in the team?s lineup. Blueliners Dmitri Kalinin and Henrik Tallinder are also out of action for Buffalo, so Numminen will likely do everything possible to suit up on Thursday.
With Game 7 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, the Sabres will have to pull out a road win in order to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Buffalo was victorious on the road in Game 1, but the Hurricanes won both Game 2 and Game 5 in their own building. Overall, the home team has a 4-2 record in this set, with the roadies winning Game 1 and Game 4.
UNDER bettors found Game 6 to their liking, as the score was 1-0 for the bulk of the contest and never approached the posted total. Game 6 marked the third UNDER result of this series, but at the RBC Center the totals action is skewed 2-1 to the OVER result.
Overall during the playoffs there have been five OVER results at the RBC Center, compared to four UNDER results. The Hurricanes have been listed as home favorites in all nine of the postseason games played in Raleigh, and they have rewarded their supporters with a 6-3 record in those games. Two of Carolina?s three home losses came in their first two games of the playoffs, when they got into a hole versus the Canadiens.
And that other home loss was of course against Buffalo to open the Eastern Conference Finals. Can the Sabres pull out another road win at the RBC Center? Buffalo?s lack of defensive depth is clearly catching up to them, and it allowed the Canes to put them on the brink of elimination in Game 6. With Numminen hurting, and the replacements spotty, winning on Thursday night in front of a hostile crowd will be a tough assignment.
Regardless of Thursday?s outcome the Stanley Cup Finals will get underway on Monday night at the home arena of the Eastern Conference champion. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, while the series will then shift to Edmonton for both Game 3 and Game 4. The Oilers, who last played on May 27, will be well rested for the series to say the least.
For NHL odds click here .
