Greg Wyshynski - The Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers have played six games, each winning three, in their Stanley Cup Playoff quarterfinals.
So why does Tuesday night's Game 7 feel like an entirely different series?
Another goalie change for the Flyers. Questions about Chris Pronger's(notes) role. Tim Connolly(notes) out for the Sabres, along with other lineup uncertainty. Mike Richards(notes) and Ryan Miller(notes) trying to see which one can make the most hyperbolic comparison to murder in condemning dangerous plays.
No matter what the vibe is, there are a few basic factors that will determine who advances and who goes home. And here they are:
Brian Boucher(notes)
Just like it has for the last 14 years, it begins with the goaltending for the Philadelphia Flyers. Because in those 14 years, according to Chuck Gormley, they've used 17 goalies.
Boucher is one of three they've used in this series, and Peter Laviolette broke his tradition by naming him the starter well before Game 7. No surprises, no mysteries; Boucher's their guy. Said Boucher to CSN Philly:
"Personally, I feel like I've had a solid series aside from three minutes. So I feel good about my game, and I give a lot of credit to my teammates. They've battled really hard in front of me, and they've really given me a chance to get back in there with the way they played [Sunday] night down 3-1."
That last time he played at home, Boucher gave up three goals on 11 shots in 15:36 of the first period. The good news is that the Flyers rallied in Game 5 to send the game into overtime, much like they did in Game 6 when Michael Leighton(notes) imploded in the first period — only that time, they won.
So they Flyers have shown resiliency when the goaltending has failed them, but that's playing with fire in a Game 7. They need Boucher to be the steady veteran tonight, not the liability he was in Game 5.
And if he falters ... would you believe that it's Sergei Bobrovsky time again? The circle would be complete.
The Sabres Defense
Ryan Miller pitched two shutouts in this series, facing an average of 33.5 shots in them. In his other four appearances, that average is 36.75, including 49 shots in Game 6's overtime affair.
To the surprise of no one, Miller would like to see them tighten up the defense a bit, via the Buffalo News:
"The times we've beaten the Flyers, we've done a really good job of sticking to one plan all night," said Miller, who faced 49 shots in Game Six. "We can do a little bit better job frustrating them. They're a team that relies on turnovers and getting up ice, and I think if we just keep two, three guys together getting back at all times with good back pressure, it's going to definitely be a frustrating style. It's something I don't think the Flyers have reacted too well to, even in the regular season.
"They were pretty patient early, but I think sometimes they expect to be on offense and they really cheat and push for it. You have to try and make them do that. ... We have to try and use their strengths as weaknesses, and we have to be the organized team and the team that's willing to play the chess match."
Which is tough, when the Flyers want to play checkers.
Which Gamers Will Decide Game 7?
Danny Briere(notes) has five goals in this series. So does Thomas Vanek(notes).
Nathan Gerbe(notes) and Tyler Ennis(notes) have two goals each. James van Riemsdyk(notes) has three, while Ville Leino(notes) has two, including the Game 6 winner.
As much as Game 7 is about which team executes its brand of hockey better, it's also about which players make a difference.
If he plays, does Derek Roy(notes) make a difference, or is he emotional window dressing like Pronger in Game 6? Does Mike Richards tally his first playoff goal of 2011, in the series's most important game?
One got the sense at the end of Game 6 that the Sabres would regret not having closed this thing out. The goaltending might be the great equalizer, but they're in a hell of a spot tonight in front of the orange-clad faithful.
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