3-0

Sweep? It's certainly possible, but unthinkable about a week ago.

Game #1 was a nailbiter. Sens came out of the gate hard and put up two quick goals. Sabres answered with two and it was tied going into the third. This was the series I had expected, no lead was safe. Well, three unanswered goals later it was a 5-2 Senators mauling. Game winner by none other than Saprykin? I think it was his only shot in the game. Speaking of which, the Sabres had only 20 shots, with 5 coming in the third. Sabres 0-5 on the power play. Senators 2-6 & a shorthander by Fisher.

Tonight I watched the sweetest 4 hours of hockey yet. I managed to not see the score for Saturday's game, which wasn't too difficult being out at sea or in Mexico. But resisted online temptation at work and was rewarded. Sabres clearly didn't want to drop two games at home, and came out flying. An early Sabres goal was disallowed because it was directed in with a glove. Whew, that was a good sign. But the Sabres scoring two goals after that was not. 15 shots in the first. All Sabres. Alfie scores on a sweet 3-on-2 play to cut it to 1-2 before the intermission. Senators re-grouped, scored 2 powerplay goals in the second, to lead 3-2. Sens control play all of the third period. Yes! My boys are going up 2-0. Not quite. Briere scores a tap in goal with 6 seconds left to force overtime! Sens re-group (again) and control most of the play for the first OT. Corvo scores in double-overtime. Once again, Sabres 0-7 on the powerplay, Senators 2-4. Sabres managed to out-shoot Ottawa, but most of that was due to their inspired first period. Fisher, Volchenkov and Schubert had some highlight reel hits. Emery had some huge saves.

Second part of tonight's matinee was the Senators first home game of the series. It was a tight game, like the others. But the Senators controlled play for the most part. Miller kept it close and it probably shouldn't have been. The numbers tell the story. Sabres: 15 shots, 17 hits, 0-6 on the powerplay. Senators: 32 shots, 26 hits. Emery got the shutout, but wasn't even voted one of the three stars! It was Alfredsson, Redden & Miller. Not sure what Lindy is telling his troops, but they looked a little confused tonight.

Sabres are in a deep hole, down 3-0. I honestly didn't expect that. Game #2 was a bounce either way, once it got into OT. But Games #1 & #3 were all about the Sens defensive corps, team defense, and forechecking. I think the absence of the Sabres powerplay added to their situation. Miller is doing his job, but you have to score to win.