On Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center, the second seeded Philadelphia Flyers will take on the Buffalo Sabres in NHL game seven.
Philadelphia would seem to have the edge at home, once down 3-2. But this season, Buffalo played better on the road. It would help the Flyers’ cause, if Chris Pronger is healthy enough to play full time. In Game 6, he played only on the power play. Since the Sabres’ power play has been better than theirs, the Flyers want to stay out of the penalty box. Philadelphia wants to neutralize Thomas Vanek, Buffalo’s most dangerous scorer, and also must deal with Derek Roy’s return.
Philadelphia’s Brian Boucher scored 3-1, 2.12 goals against average, .935 save percentage and Buffalo’s Ryan Miller scored 3-3, 2.61, .925. Even though Boucher’s solid performance in Game 6 relief would seem to give him the edge to be the Game 7 starter the Flyers have used three goalies. The Sabres have the edge in net in theory.
In the series Buffalo center Brad Boyes, picked up to help the offense, hasn’t registered a point. Philadelphia, C Jeff Carter (knee) won’t play Game 7. Buffalo, Tim Connolly will sit out after being pushed headfirst into the boards in Game 6; Roy (quadriceps) will play for the first time since December, will return to action; RW Jason Pominville (leg) is expected to miss the game; D Shoane Morrison, RW Mike Grier and RW Patrick Kaleta are day to day.
For the Sabres to win, Miller will need to be their best player. For this match, in NHL betting odds, the over is 1.77 and the under is 2.09 while the total is at 1.5.