really, like that?

Honestly, it wasn't supposed to end like this. It's not over, but it's bloody close. Going into game three last night, the Sabres most likely had a game plan. Play shut-down, opportunistic hockey. Just like last year in the playoffs in Ottawa. You can get outshot 40-20, but make the 20 count. Last year, they would frustrate the sens, leaving only outside shots. And Miller handled them. But occasionally, be it the power-play, or the penalty kill, they would turn it around for an odd-man rush and score, like Jason Pomenville did in game 5 last year. Opportunistic. That's why the Sabres only got 15 shots. They prepared for that style throughout the season. A game in New Jersey was practice. They could play that game. That's why Miller was the first star. The game plan was somewhat sound, the problem, to me, was two things.

1. They didn't play it well in the first. True, Ottawa was riding high, pumped. Up 2-0, they came out flying. It's weather the storm time, and they weathered. In period 2 they didn't allow a shot for the first 10 minutes. Game plan on. Except:

2. The power play was a continued embarrassment. I'm a fan of these guys and a general optimist. I'll give credit were it's due if Ottawa's scheme was better than Buffalo's. But the power play has been in shambles since the Islanders series. It didn't get better versus the Rangers. It's been worse than flat in this series. There were moments last night when the Senators looked like they were on the power play in the PK.

So this is it? It's not gut check time, that was last night. It's play for pride time. It's get one in Ottawa so the fans can say bye, or boo, or whatever the fans in this town will come up with. But if Game 2 was the last time we see them at home, it's a better memory than that game last night.