Many expected a tight, low-scoring series between two offensively
challenged teams that had two of the NHL's best goaltenders. The Sabres
and Bruins haven't played the most exciting hockey, but they delivered
on everything else.
Boston has a 3-2 series lead going home for Game 6 on Monday night after a poor performance Friday in a 4-1 loss in Buffalo. It was difficult to ascertain afterward whether the Bruins relaxed in Game 5 or whether the Sabres played to their potential. Actually, it was probably a combination of both.
"They came out with a lot of energy and played with a lot of desperation," Bruins defenceman Matt Hunwick said. "We'll have to go out, and obviously we'd like to score the first goal and establish a presence at home, so hopefully we'll do that Monday night.
"Monday will be a huge game for us. I think we'll be focused and determined and I think we'll come out with a lot more jump."
Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller and Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask have been superb in their nets, which is a major reason three of the five games have been decided by a goal and neither team has taken total command.
Miller has a 2.02 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage in the series, while Rask is just behind with a 2.03 GAA and .933 save percentage. Rask did not play well in Game 5, but he still has the edge in the most important category: victories.
The Sabres have scored the first goal in each of the first five games and have had the lead for 178 minutes, three seconds in the series. The Bruins have led for just 19 minutes, 40 seconds, but still lead the series. Boston does not want to return to Buffalo for Game 7 after holding a 3-1 lead.
"When they're in that position, they want to close it out as quickly as possible and give their best effort," Sabres captain Craig Rivet said. "At the same time we're at the other end of the scale playing for our playoff lives."
Vanek or Ruff: Who makes the call?
Sabres winger Thomas Vanek still isn't fully recovered from a sprained left ankle, but he could be ready to play Monday on a limited basis. Vanek participated in a full 50-minute workout at HSBC Arena on Sunday and practiced with the second power-play unit.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is leaving the decision to Vanek, who was sidelined in the first period of Game 2 when he slammed into the boards. Vanek, who spoke to the media about 30 minutes before Ruff on Sunday, said he would leave the decision to the coach.
"I feel like I can go, but you've got to be smart and realistic about it," Vanek said. "It's up to Lindy to make that decision."
Marc Savard also could be ready, but it seemed unlikely Sunday after he worked out with the Bruins. Savard has been sidelined since March 7 with a Grade 2 concussion and was trying to work his way back into playoff shape.
"It's a tough situation, obviously," Savard told reporters in Boston. "It's a huge game and I haven't played in a long time. But I felt great out there. I don't know what the situation is. We haven't talked much about it yet. So, obviously, it's not looking good right now."
Rask's job safe
Bruins coach Claude Julien said he never considered replacing Rask in Game Five, even after he gave up the first three goals and had Tim Thomas, who won the Vezina Trophy last year and backed up Miller on the U.S. Olympic team, sitting on the bench.
"I don't know if it would have changed anything or not," said Julien. "That might have been like pointing the finger at Tuukka, and at that point we hadn't done a very good job in front of him."
Rask had a rough start, allowing Adam Mair to score the first goal on an ugly wraparound that bounced off the goalie's stick, glanced off his skate and trickled between his legs in the opening minutes.
Chara pleased with decision
Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara on the league rescinding his one-game suspension after he was called for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of Game 5: "I think the league did a great job recognizing the whole situation," Chara said. "Obviously, I wasn't initiating, I was just responding."
Boston has a 3-2 series lead going home for Game 6 on Monday night after a poor performance Friday in a 4-1 loss in Buffalo. It was difficult to ascertain afterward whether the Bruins relaxed in Game 5 or whether the Sabres played to their potential. Actually, it was probably a combination of both.
"They came out with a lot of energy and played with a lot of desperation," Bruins defenceman Matt Hunwick said. "We'll have to go out, and obviously we'd like to score the first goal and establish a presence at home, so hopefully we'll do that Monday night.
"Monday will be a huge game for us. I think we'll be focused and determined and I think we'll come out with a lot more jump."
Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller and Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask have been superb in their nets, which is a major reason three of the five games have been decided by a goal and neither team has taken total command.
Miller has a 2.02 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage in the series, while Rask is just behind with a 2.03 GAA and .933 save percentage. Rask did not play well in Game 5, but he still has the edge in the most important category: victories.
The Sabres have scored the first goal in each of the first five games and have had the lead for 178 minutes, three seconds in the series. The Bruins have led for just 19 minutes, 40 seconds, but still lead the series. Boston does not want to return to Buffalo for Game 7 after holding a 3-1 lead.
"When they're in that position, they want to close it out as quickly as possible and give their best effort," Sabres captain Craig Rivet said. "At the same time we're at the other end of the scale playing for our playoff lives."
Vanek or Ruff: Who makes the call?
Sabres winger Thomas Vanek still isn't fully recovered from a sprained left ankle, but he could be ready to play Monday on a limited basis. Vanek participated in a full 50-minute workout at HSBC Arena on Sunday and practiced with the second power-play unit.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is leaving the decision to Vanek, who was sidelined in the first period of Game 2 when he slammed into the boards. Vanek, who spoke to the media about 30 minutes before Ruff on Sunday, said he would leave the decision to the coach.
"I feel like I can go, but you've got to be smart and realistic about it," Vanek said. "It's up to Lindy to make that decision."
Marc Savard also could be ready, but it seemed unlikely Sunday after he worked out with the Bruins. Savard has been sidelined since March 7 with a Grade 2 concussion and was trying to work his way back into playoff shape.
"It's a tough situation, obviously," Savard told reporters in Boston. "It's a huge game and I haven't played in a long time. But I felt great out there. I don't know what the situation is. We haven't talked much about it yet. So, obviously, it's not looking good right now."
Rask's job safe
Bruins coach Claude Julien said he never considered replacing Rask in Game Five, even after he gave up the first three goals and had Tim Thomas, who won the Vezina Trophy last year and backed up Miller on the U.S. Olympic team, sitting on the bench.
"I don't know if it would have changed anything or not," said Julien. "That might have been like pointing the finger at Tuukka, and at that point we hadn't done a very good job in front of him."
Rask had a rough start, allowing Adam Mair to score the first goal on an ugly wraparound that bounced off the goalie's stick, glanced off his skate and trickled between his legs in the opening minutes.
Chara pleased with decision
Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara on the league rescinding his one-game suspension after he was called for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of Game 5: "I think the league did a great job recognizing the whole situation," Chara said. "Obviously, I wasn't initiating, I was just responding."
