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The third round of the 2007 NHL playoffs is still a few days from getting underway, but there's a lot to look forward to in the Eastern Conference final. The Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres will do battle for the right to represent the East in the 2007 Stanley Cup finals. The Sabres came within one game of heading to the Cup final last season, but fell to eventual Cup champion Carolina in Game 7 of the Conference final. The Sabres made it that far last year with a number of key players sidelined by injury, but this time around they have all their big scorers and heavy hitters healthy and ready to go. The Sabres got through the New York Islanders in five hockey games in the first round and took apart the New York Rangers in six games in Round 2. Buffalo's leading scorers through the first two rounds are Daniel Briere with 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) and clutch performer Chris Drury with 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists). Thomas Vanek has also turned it on with five postseason goals after playing his way to the bench in the playoffs last year. Ryan Miller has looked shaky at times during the playoffs, but he still sports some impressive numbers with a 2.06 goals against average and a .929 save percentage. The Senators swept through the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games in Round 1 and looked equally impressive while doing away with the =New Jersey Devils in five games in the second round. Ottawa's big guns have been firing throughout the playoffs so far, as Dany Heatley has collected 14 points (5 goals, 9 assists) and Jason Spezza has 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists). Even maligned captain Daniel Alfredsson has avoided the playoff choker label so far this postseason with six goals and five assists. One of Ottawa's biggest problems during some of their early playoff exits in the past has been lackluster goaltending. Ray Emery has erased any of those questions this year with some stellar play in nets, while posting a 2.04 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. Bet on Hockey at Wagerweb.com
The Sabres and Senators clashed eight times during the regular season and Ottawa came out on top with five wins. The Senators outscored the Sabres 33-26 combined in those eight games and they'll need their snipers to continue to fill the net with pucks and get more strong play from Emery if they hope to continue their advantage over Buffalo through the Conference final. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is set for Thursday night (7:00 pm ET) in Buffalo, with Game 2 also in Buffalo (8:00 pm ET) on Saturday night. Bet on the 2007 NHL playoffs at WagerWeb.com View Hockey Live Lines now! |
