Buffalo Sabres determined to secure playoff spot as they play against Boston Bruins – NHL Preview
With around one more month left in the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, Buffalo Sabres are still out of the comfort zone in the Eastern Conference, but are not yet ruled out of the playoff contention.
If they stay on winning course and prevent defeats in their remaining games, there will be nothing stopping them from playing in the postseason.
That being said, it should also be noted that plenty of other teams are also eyeing the playoffs and the competition is getting tougher with every passing day.
In order to prove that they have got what it takes to be a playoff team, Sabres will have to defeat the Northeast Division leaders, Boston Bruins, on Thursday, March 8, 2012, at TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts.
Bruins are expected to reach the playoffs, but their poor form might pave the way for Sabres as well.
Let’s have a look at recent performances of both teams.
Sabres
Sabres have won four out of their last five games with the recent victory coming against Carolina Hurricanes.
Sabres were one goal down after the first period, but they scored twice in the second while conceding one more goal.
After the scoreless third period, the game was forced to overtime where Sabres scored and sealed the victory, 3-2.
Jason Pominville said after the win:
"It's huge. We're making steps. We're playing better hockey. We've dug ourselves in a big hole that isn't easy to get ourselves out of. But we believe."
Sabres are ranked at 10th spot in the Eastern Conference with 70 points after 67 games and are two points behind the eighth ranked Winnipeg Jets.
Bruins
They are ranked second in the Eastern Conference with 81 points after 65 games.
However, they are struggling to gain consistency and are unable to capitalise on victories. They have won two out of the last four games with the recent victory coming against Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bruins and Leafs scored apiece in the first period, but the second period was dominated mostly by Bruins as they scored four goals while giving away two.
Leafs added another goal in the final period, but still fell one goal short and lost the game.
Predictions
Keeping Sabres’ surge and Bruins’ struggle in mind, it is difficult to pick a winner, but if we go with the reputation, Bruins can be favoured.
The sum of goals scored by both teams might exceed six.
If Sabres win, the winning margin will be less than two goals.
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