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BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo Sabres leave RBC Arena in Raleigh a tired, and almost spent team. Every time it seems they have the upper hand, a goalie change seems to completely stymie their scoring. It happened in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals, and it happened again tonight in game five.

Buffalo now finds themselves trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. They are heading home, but after taking a serious beating in the previous two contests. Carolina has seemed mostly in control in both the game four 4-0 shut out and tonight’s 4-3 decision in overtime. The Sabres have certainly had their chances, but have not generally been able to capitalize.

Things looked to be turning around for the Buffalo club early in the second period of game five. Derek Roy’s goal put them up 3-1 on the road against a Carolina team that had been playing solidly all night. But their painful lack of depth on defense proved (perhaps) too much for them in the end. A few players out of position, a penalty taken, and the score was evened up at 3-3.

After a scoreless third period, which saw numerous opportunities for Sabres’ players to score on breakaways, the overtime seemed to be going well for this offensively-minded squad. Afinogenov had several chances tonight to put the game away, but could not finish. Grier likewise. The Sabres were definitely putting the pressure on, but substitute goalie, Cam Ward, was up to the task. He stopped every shot he faced coming in midway through the second period.

In the end, the Sabres will likely go down fighting. Look for a wild contest Tuesday night at HSBC Arena in Buffalo. Perhaps Buffalo will even prevail on that night. But I think Carolina, a fine team, will prove too much for this young hockey club. Carolina has experience and depth to add to the tenacity and offensive firepower with which the Sabres match them.

I think if the stakes were even, if Buffalo had not lost three of their top defensemen, we’d be seeing the Buffalo Sabres hoisting the Prince of Wales Cup at the end of this series. But the injuries will prove too much, and Carolina will win this series in seven.

On a super positive note, if Carolina advances it will be the first time (I believe) that Kevyn Adams will appear in the Stanley Cup Finals. Kevyn is from Clarence, NY where Jen & I went to high school. He was in Chorale with us way back when. I remember our chorale teacher pointing Kevyn out as someone who had a goal, and was going to accomplish it. He said, “You’re going to see Kevyn playing in the NHL someday…” Well, the someday is here, and it would be grand if he could have his name inscribed on Lord Stanley’s Cup. That would be a definitely bright spot in the end of the Sabres’ season.

But since we’re not totally dead yet…

Hopefully Kevyn will get to try again next season. 🙂