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Reactions: Buffalo\Philadelphia Posted: Friday April 14, 2000 02:17 PM
Both sides agree that Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek will be the key to the Sabres' success. But it'll have to be Buffalo's late-season momentum that carries them past Philadelphia's regular season success if the Sabres want to return to the Stanley Cup finals, according to CNNSI.com users. A collection of some of the most interesting predictions follows: The Flyers have been fighting against all odds all year. They'll overcome Hasek and Sabres this year because of team unity brought about by the problems they've overcome.
Buffalo should prevail in a hard-fought series. With Hasek back to his typical form and the way the Sabres had to fight just to make the play-offs, look for them to have the momentum. Philly's turmoil shouldn't affect the contest too much. The determining factor should be Hasek and Buffalo's ability to score, or not score.
The Flyers have too much going on off ice and I fully expect the Sabres to take advantage of that in this series.
The way that the Flyers have been getting it done the past two months, I don't see how Buffalo, or anyone in the East, can beat them....UNLESS Hasek has an unbelievable series. Everyone is aware now of what the Dominator can do. If he "gets in the head" of the Flyers early in this series, it could spell an early out for the Flyers again.
Get off of this Buffalo bandwagon, it's making me sick! One needs only to look at what the Flyers have done during the final months of the season in erasing a 15 point deficit in the standings and taking the conference title. This team is nasty! All this talk about a "hot" Hasek is a moot point. In their final push to win the conference, the Flyers faced a number of apparently "hot" goalies, and the orange and black came out on top. Buffalo fans still hurting from the "music city miracle" are soon to feel even worse when the Dominator gets dominated.
I think Buffalo will win again this time. The Flyers failed to trade for a respectable goalie this year (again) and it's now going to catch up with them (again). Expect the Dominator to hold off the Lindros-less Flyers. Sabers take the series in five. Maybe next year Philly fans.
I see the Sabres taking this series in 6. Sure Philadelphia has more talent in the stats sheets, but Buffalo has the hardest work ethic and the most team unity in the league. The Sabres are pretty healthy, scoring goals, and the best goaltender in the world is back. There is something magical and intense in Buffalo during the second season; this could be a serious run for the cup.
Instead of worrying about Hasek they should solve their own problems first. Goaltending is still a big question for Philly and will only be answered at the end of this series. Focus solely on Hasek and they'll lose. Instead they should concentrate on beating Buffalo - the team. Hasek will stone you every time you make him the center of attention. Hey the man lives for it and has proved it time and again. It's the Sabres in six and you'll see a goaltending change from Phillly in at least one game.
Buffalo will when it in 5 games. Hasek is just too strong for the flyers to deal with. Plus, the flyers are going to be hurting because they don't have Lindros anymore. Hasek is the difference maker.
I think that this is going to be the most competitive series in the first round. The Flyers have been a never-ending soap opera this year, but still had the strength of character to come in first in the Eastern Conference. Mark Recchi had a sensational year, and the Flyers score enough goals to win games. Their defense has been exceptional, giving rookie Bryan Boucher some time to get used to the pro level.
The Flyers are a much better team all around than the Sabres. People are talking a lot about the Sabres late season acquisitions of Chris Gratton and Doug Gilmore. Chris Gratton the former Flyer is a stiff and Gilmore isn't getting any younger. The Flyers power play and under rated defense will be the deciding factor. Furthermore, all of the turmoil in the Flyers locker room will only help them and give them something to play for. Hasek is the best goalie in the league but I think the Flyers are going to get to him early by crashing the net. I strongly oppose the CNN/SI "experts" who overwhelmingly pick the Sabres to win the series. The Flyers will win this series in 6.
Buffalo has made some important acquisitions down the stretch. They are coming into the playoffs on an extensive winning streak. Buffalo has played ten to fifteen games at the end of the year in a playoff atmosphere. Just sneaking into the playoffs gives them momentum that Philly lacks, especially with the loss of their captain and No. 1 center. Buffalo has a distinct advantage entering the series and barring an injury to Hasek, they seem to be the unlikely favorite. Buffalo in six, not as close as it sounds though.
No matter how much people attempt to put the Flyers down, they have what it takes this year! As far as the goalie situation, Boucher has been simply amazing and needs to be considered for rookie of the year. If Lindros makes it back, he has all the support of Philly, and the Flyers will bring home Lord Stanley.
The Flyers are prepared to be on a roll this time compared to the 1998 playoffs. It's only another adversity that the Flyers are seasoned to face and beat. Hasek cannot stand the Flyers 'in-your-face' offense around his crease now that the crease rule has changed. Expect Tocchet to benefit with some goals.
Just as the Sabres have benefit from some depth with add-ons Gilmour and Gratton, the Flyers have depth from even the likes of Berube, rookie Eaton and Delmor. Flyers in 6 games.
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