The Buffalo Sabres are preparing for a crucial Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens. Head coach Lindy Ruff has implemented a change in routine by having his players stay overnight at a hotel. This decision comes after the Sabres experienced two wins and four losses at the KeyBank Center during the playoffs. In stark contrast, they have only lost once in six away games.
Lindy Ruff’s Strategy for Game 7
Ruff explained that the reason behind this strategy is to minimize distractions for the team. He emphasized the importance of allowing the players to bond and seize the moment. The focus, however, will remain on their performance on the ice, despite suggestions from fans to play Coldplay’s “Fix You” for motivation.
Game Day Atmosphere
As the Sabres made their way into the city, buildings lit up in blue, white, and red were visible. This display was not intended to evoke memories of Montreal but was instead related to upcoming Memorial Day celebrations.
The Importance of Solid Play
- The team recently dominated the Canadiens, igniting confidence.
- Ruff noted their inconsistency throughout the series but acknowledged their strong performance last game.
- Despite being down 3-1 in the recent match, the Sabres maintained their confidence, believing they were playing well.
Ruff stated, “I told them we were really playing well… we just need to keep applying the game plan and we would eventually get our chances.” This confidence helped propel the Sabres to score seven unanswered goals in that game.
Goaltender Decisions
The choice of starting goaltender remains uncertain, with Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as options. Ruff highlighted the contributions of his goalies throughout the season and their role in elevating the team to the top of their division.
| Goaltender | Save Percentage | Goals Against Average |
|---|---|---|
| Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | 0.903 | 2.81 |
| Alex Lyon | 0.847 | 4.49 |
Ruff suggested that Luukkonen is likely to get the start based on his superior performance in the playoffs. The final decision will be revealed following the warm-ups before the game.
As they approach this pivotal clash, the Sabres aim to carry their recent momentum into Game 7, where the outcome will determine who advances to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals.
