In The Crease

Shine for me Stanley

So I've been MIA again for a while, but I'm back for some seventh game ramblings...

-I can't decide whether I'd be more surprised to see Carolina or Edmonton win the Stanley Cup. Carolina seems to be in a freefall after Game Six; they were not competitive in that game, not even its power play could find a goal (which is pretty surprising). I still look at the rosters and think that Carolina is more stacked with talent that Edmonton. But they didn't look like that team in the last two games. It's hard to believe in a team that has failed to win the Stanley Cup for two straight games.

But Edmonton would still be a surprise victor too. Jussi Markkanen has made you forget that playoff standout Dwayne Roloson went out with an injury in Game One. Chris Pronger hasn't dominated this series as he had others. Shawn Horcoff has had a quiet Finals. And don't forget, this is the EIGHTH seed we're talking about it here.

-Most people say that numbers mean nothing. But don't believe them for a second. If Edmonton hopes to win tonight, they would have to overcome these odds:
    -It would be the first time since the 1979 Baltimore Orioles that any team in the major sports has      come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven series to win the championship.

    -The 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs are the only other team in NHL history to come back from a 3-1         deficit to win the Stanley Cup.

    -Home teams are 11-2 in Game Seven of the Finals.

-Before the series, I said I wasn't sure who I would cheer for. But as the series wore on (a lot longer than early indications), I've found myself pulling for the Oilers. I think the trigger was the Roloson injury; without him, they seem so much more likable. And please, I'd take Craig MacTavish over Peter Laviolette any day of the week. MacT's expressions on the bench are priceless, and he almost seemed shocked when the Oilers won Game Six. Laviolette still rubs me the wrong way in his press conferences.

-Speaking of Laviolette... I think we should refer to him as the "master of bold moves" from now on. In the first round, he pulls Martin Gerber for Cam (who?) Ward, a 22-year-old who just happens to be the most level-headed person on the planet. Then, in the conference finals, Laviolette deserts his rookie wonder to go back to Gerber. Gerber nabs a shutout, but then gets pulled in the next game for allowing three goals on 11 shots. Ward lost Game Six on a weak goal by Daniel Briere, but Laviolette has since stuck with him.

Laviolette pulled another trick out of his bag in Game Six of the Finals, when Erik Cole suddenly appeared in the lineup after not playing since Mar. 4. He hadn't been taking contact in practice; he had a broken vertebrae in his neck for crying out loud. But there he was, inserted in the lineup for the injured Doug Weight. Cole wasn't bad, but he wasn't good either -- he was falling all over the ice and seemed to have trouble keeping speed (ooh shocker!). It'll be interesting to see how the move pans out in Game Seven.

-I'm conflicted about the chance of Michael Peca winning the Stanley Cup. He was my favorite player for the longest time, and I still admire his game. But the Buffalo break-up was so sour. And Edmonton isn't Buffalo; it seems wrong to see "our" captain win with another team.

Still, Peca holds a spot in Sabres history. He still spends time in Buffalo in the offseason. Remember his comments after Edmonton's controversial goal in Game Three of the Finals? When Ryan Smyth was bulldozing over Cam Ward en route to the winning goal?

"...the 1999 finals, when Peca played for Buffalo and wound up on the wrong side of Dallas' cup-winning goal. He said there's no comparison between that play and Smyth's goal in Game 3.

"Not even close," Peca said. "That was a goal that shouldn't have counted, and it cost us the Stanley Cup." '

That comment reminded me of Rhett Warrener's comment a couple of years back about still having nightmares about the play. And Peca has always embodied the "Buffalo" mentality:

"While you might say the Oilers are following the yellow brick road in their dreams of winning their first Stanley Cup since 1990, Peca discerns an even closer parallel to his hockey role in another movie. It's one of Sylvester Stallone's less memorable films -- Over the Top.

"I identify with the character he plays in that movie the most because he's a small guy who arm-wrestles this giant guy who has never been beaten and wins..." ' (NHL.com)

-One reason to root against Carolina, courtesy of WGR's Jeremy White: save yourself the pain of seeing Rod Brind'amour's face on a magazine cover.

-One reason to cheer for Edmonton: Fernando Pisani. We're all cousins of Little Italy's favorite son. Listen to the "Fernando" song at Edmonton's Team 1260 website.

Playoff predictions: Finals

"No one remembers who came in second. There is no immortality for second best."

Yes, the "My Stanley Cup" commercials are really lame. But hey, the Lance Armstrong-imposed quote is dead on for the Final round. Neither of these teams were meant to be here. Both were picked to struggle to make the playoffs -- and the Edmonton Oilers did. Both cities should find the berth a well-deserved blessing. And whoever wins gets immortality, while the loser... is the loser.

I haven't decided who I'm going to root for yet. Let's be honest -- it's not like I can cheer for the team that beat my favorite team. And Edmonton? If you subtract Michael Peca, Chris Pronger and Dwayne Roloson, I'd love them to death. But those are arguably the three most valuable Oilers in this playoff run. And the pick...

(2) CAROLINA Hurricanes vs. (8) EDMONTON Oilers
Series Breakdown
Carolina (112 pts, 52-22-8), Edmonton (91 pts, 41-28-13)
Season series: Didn't face each other (ugh!)

Before I get on a rant on how every team should play each team in the league at least once, I'm just going to get to it: I'm picking Edmonton to win this thing. Edmonton's goaltending is better. Eric Staal, by far the best forward left in the playoffs, was running out of gas at the end of the Buffalo series. And even if he suddenly reemerges, Chris Pronger and Michael Peca are there. It's not that I don't give Carolina enough credit -- they are a great team, from top to bottom. But Craig MacTavish is bringing the Cup back to Edmonton.

Pick: Edmonton in 6

Something you'll never forget

Just a brief thought before tonight's game:

Game Seven. They say anything can and probably will happen. I'm sure every Sabres or 'Canes fan had trouble getting through the day; the anticipation too great for the chance to win one game and go to the Stanley Cup Finals. Just think what the players, coaches and management must be going through is it's this tough on the fans.

But no matter what happens (and I mean that), WGR's Mike Schopp had a great point this afternoon: tonight, history is made. You'll remember this game forever -- win or lose. This will be a game that we will talk about for years to come.

It seems fitting that on this day fans remember the few (!) Games Sevens in each team's history, or the player names that can were etched into history forever with just one play, one save or one goal.

Last time the Sabres were in a Game Seven was the last time they made the playoffs. They were eliminated when Pittsburgh's Darius Kasparaitis sent a weak shot past Dominik Hasek, the last time the Dominator wore the goatlord. Yes, fans can surely remember that moment like it was yesterday.

Ten years from now, tonight will be no different.

Dangling on a string

If Game Four didn't completely shake the faith, Game Five gave Sabres fans a brief glimpse of hope.

And then Cory Stillman shattered it.

The doom and gloom has set in over Western New York once again because Buffalo is on the brink of elimination, down 3-2 in the best of seven series.

The Sabres yielded a 3-1 lead in Game Five, but then held the Hurricanes to just one shot over the the final 30 minutes, even with two Carolina power plays mixed in. Buffalo even started overtime with 1:19 left on a power play. But then the signs started coming. Cam Ward stoned a point-blank opportunity by Jochen Hecht. And then JP Dumont put a quick hook on Matt Cullen, was whistled off to the penalty box, and saw a nightmare unfold in front of the Buffalo net.

It kind of reminded me of Mario Lemieux's goal with 1:18 left in Game Six, Eastern Conference Semifinals, against Buffalo in 2001. Remember the one -- where the puck bounced straight up in the air, and then right to Lemieux's stick, and then found the twine -- all before defenseman Rhett Warrener or goaltender Dominik Hasek flinched. This time, Cullen's point shot ricocheted off the back boards right to Stillman, who snuck a shot between Ryan Miller's legs. Toni Lydman and Jay McKee could only stand in disbelief.

And while many in WNY are ready to write the Sabres off, especially since it looks like Teppo Numminen will not be returning (along with Henrik Tallinder, Dmitri Kalinin and Tim Connolly), I'm going to tell you that it's not over.

This isn't me trying to put a rosy spin on the whole thing. I can get pretty negative about any hockey team (ask my fellow Michigan season ticketholders). But the 2005-2006 Sabres has showed me how to believe again. Here's five reasons why Buffalo will be going back to Carolina for Game Seven:

1) Ryan Miller and The Big Game -- Miller was spectacular at times in both the Philadelphia and Ottawa series. He was a difference-making, game-stealing goaltender. He hasn't been at all in the Carolina series. Sure, maybe that's why I should stop the crazy wishing/praying/hoping right now. But Miller is the real thing. He's shown it over and over again this year. And I know he has it in him to come up with a big game for his "boys."

2) Chris Drury -- This guy is a winner. It may sound like a broken record by now, but this guy isn't shy to the big game either. He scored the first goal in the last game with the bench reeling after Game Four. His leadership is enough to get the Sabres over the hump. No player on either team can match his credentials for this situation.

3) The seventh man -- HSBC Arena will give the Sabres an advantage. This won't just be any home rink in the NHL Playoffs. The fans know what this team has done all year, and while they needed a day to recover after Game Five, by the time the puck drops, it'll be pom-pon waving, "Let's Go Buffalo" shouting, "Street Fighting Man" blasting-from-the-speakers hysteria. They're going to obliterate the decibel level at the RBC Center. The players will feed off it.

4) Carolina's goalie carousel will falter -- Cam Ward. Then Martin Gerber. Then Cam Ward. Yes, Peter Laviolette's charade may have worked for a game or two. But Gerber storming off the ice and not returning to the bench DOES mean something to the team. And subconsciously Ward must be thinking that he can be pulled again at any time. Buffalo can beat either goalie. This point also goes in tandem with reason one (Miller is going to rock!).

5) The unknown hero will come through -- The Sabres aren't about names. They haven't been about one line all season. And the playoffs have been no different. Daniel Briere, Tim Connolly, Chris Drury, JP Dumont, Jochen Hecht, Jay McKee, Ales Kotalik (3), and Jason Pominville have all notched game-winners. I can't give you a name, but one of these guys (or another) is going to shine tomorrow. Because that's how it's always been.

I like what Miller told Tim Graham of The Buffalo News:

' "They got the win tonight, but I don't think they should feel too secure," Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said before trying to lighten the mood. "We just want to make it interesting. It's a better story that way, right?" '

And this Sabres team is ready to write it.

True love in the Queen City

I want to talk about love. (Hey, don't stop reading!)

It's no secret that the city of Buffalo has embraced these Sabres completely and that this team is close -- if not there already -- to becoming the most beloved team in the franchise's history. Today, The Buffalo News had a great news article about why fans have spring fever:

"That down-to-earth Sabres charm was on display in the HSBC locker room after practice late last week before the team left for Raleigh. Some guy, shorter and lighter than almost everyone else in the room, stood smiling, a congenial and unassuming host wearing not much more than his Under Armour. He could have been the towel boy.

It was Jason Pominville. Of Game Five. Ottawa. Short-handed goal. OT. Series over. Pominville, 23, was answering questions about how he was ignored by every NHL team and spent the early season in Rochester.

"If I worked hard," said the smiling Pominville, "I knew I would be called up again."

Before moving on, Pominville reached out to shake hands with the reporter asking him questions. For those unacquainted with pro athlete interviews - that doesn't happen often."

Aww. I could go on and on about Pominville. While Tim Connolly's presence on the roster is irreplaceable, Pominville has noticeably stepped up his game since Connolly went down. The OT winner is an obvious example, but a good one, especially since he has started killing more penalties, and is burying his chances in pressure situations. But he's not the only one.

These guys are so easy to embrace because most of them were unknown to the league -- even most Sabres fans -- before the season started. Sure, Henrik Tallinder had played a few seasons for the Sabres, but who knew he would rise to the status of number-one defenseman? Or Daniel Briere -- he always showed signs of incredible talent, but couldn't find his place, bouncing back and forth between Phoenix and its farm team. Now he's a star and a leader. Fans in Buffalo were doubting Chris Drury -- even throughout the season -- for not putting up enough points. In the playoffs, it isn't crazy to mention Drury and Conn Smythe in the same sentence. Not to mention the amazing comeback of Tim Connolly.

And beyond the noticeable improved play on the ice, this team is just plain, well, lovable. They're young and inexperienced. A good chunk of the roster is made up of eighties babies. And heck, even the "older guys" like Daniel Briere are adorable:

"Then there's the appeal of Sabres co-caption Daniel Briere. Ottawa winger and Briere's friend Dany Heatley told reporters he "looks 12." A full-page photo of Briere's cherubic face appeared in a recent Sports Illustrated story called "Tiny, Happy People."

"All the women want to hug him," a Sabres beat reporter said." (TBN)

So true. The man couldn't grow a worthy playoff beard to save his life, but when he pumps his fist in the air after a goal and flashes the camera a boyish grin... that's why you love him.

Even Ryan Miller has evolved to be not only one of the best goaltenders, but also one of the best interviews in the game. And coach Lindy Ruff? He epitomizes what Buffalo fans love. He's one of their own, he's one of the hardest-working coaches in hockey, and now he's writing his own comeback story. Ruff has changed his style from a defensive-minded, goaltender-reliant system to an aggressive, five-man forechecking unit. He's nominated for the Jack Adams award and is ever-so close to earning his second trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.

What's not to love?

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HATE CAN BE HEALTHY TOO: Thank you, 'Canes, for beating the Sabres in Game Two. Before I was entranced by Cam Ward's budding talent, reminiscing about Doug Weight's good old days with the Edmonton Oilers, and drawn into Carolina's exciting, fast-paced style that mirrored that of the Sabres. How could I dislike that team at all? I loved the way they demolished the New Jersey Devils and rallied from a 2-0 deficit against Montreal. And now they were playing the Sabres.

Sports is all about rivalries. It's about having a healthy respect for the opposing team, but checking the cordialities before the drop of the puck. Once the game starts, it's a war, a battle. There are no friends for those 60-plus minutes. I didn't get that feeling before the Carolina series started. But Game Two changed all that.

Now, I picture Cory Stillman leaving his feet and crashing his elbow at Brian Campbell's head. Or coach Peter Laviolette whining about the Sabres diving. And even how the 'Canes ran circles around the Sabres for much of the game, dominating and toying with a injury-ladden team.

Thank you, 'Canes. I'm ready to dislike now. I'm ready to start hating. And I think the Sabres are too.