Senators’ Filibuster Buffaloes Sabres

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My team is the Tampa Bay Lightning, but, unfortunately they didn’t get past the first round in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs.  Last year’s finalists, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Carolina and Edmonton, didn’t even make the playoffs this year, which says something about the level playing field the National Hockey League has become.

In the Buffalo – Ottawa series, I needed to pick a favorite, because I enjoy the games more if I’m rooting for a particular team.  As a U.S. citizen I looked favorably at Buffalo, as they had acquired the best record of all teams during the regular season.  The problem was, I had seen the Senators play, and had noticed the smooth way they set up and moved the puck – and the discipline they show in holding positions.  I decided to root for the Ottawa Senators.

What I had noticed before became very evident during all three games played so far, all won by the Senators.  Buffalo almost never could penetrate the Ottawa blue line, and you could almost see the frustration on their faces.  Holding the blue line like the Senators did is especially difficult these days with the new rules that penalize interference – you can’t check a man now unless he’s playing the puck.

Although the game ended in the close score of 1 to 0, Buffalo was never in this game, and their goalie had to make incredible save after incredible save to keep it this close.  Ottawa, get the brooms ready for Wednesday night.