The Buffalo Sabres showed tonight that no lead, no matter how big is safe in the NHL playoffs. Regardless, they will take the win and move on to game 6 with a chance to close out the series at home. Buffalo scored three goals in the opening period to take a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.The first period goals were scored by Tyler Ennis, Thomas Vanek, and Marc-Andre Gragnani. The goals scored by Ennis and Vanek were from almost impossible angles behind the red line. The Flyers were lucky to be down only three. A goalie change was made after the third goal as 2010 playoff hero Michael Leighton replaced Brian Boucher.
The roles reversed in the second period as the Flyers came out with more energy and determination. They got two second period goals from James van Riemsdyk and Andrej Meszaros. Michael Leighton didn't have to work too hard in the period as Philadelphia out shot Buffalo 15-5.
In the third, Philadelphia was able to tie the game on a goal by ex-Sabre Daniel Briere. Philadelphia relentlessly applied the pressure the rest of the period. The Flyers had a powerplay and all of the momentum with just under 2:30 remaining in regulation but Ryan Miller made many key saves to get the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, the Sabres didn't waste time in making sure they took the series lead. A Mike Weber slap shot from the point was saved by Leighton but the rebound came right out to a streaking Tyler Ennis who became only the fourth rookie in the post-lockout era to score a game winning overtime goal in the postseason. With the win, the Sabres have won two straight and take a 3-2 series lead back to HSBC Arena where on Sunday night they will look to close out the series and upset the Flyers.
The win didn't come without a cost. It looks as if the Sabres have lost key forward Jason Pominville for an extended amount of time with a lower body injury. Pominville was seen dropping his gloves and stick and skating on one leg to the bench with what was described as a "bad cut to the back of the leg." Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said that they will know more tomorrow but that it "doesn't look good."
For the Flyers, all odds point to Michael Leighton starting game 6 as he came in to stop 20 of 21 shots tonight. Ryan Miller on the other side made 36 saves and was constantly working the entire night.
