Heated Series Moves into Game 5 Dead Even

So the streak continues.  The team to score first in each of the four games this series has gone on to win the game.  The Buffalo Sabres are only the fourth team under the NHL's current playoff format to win two games in the same series by a 1-0 margin.  The last playoff team to have at least two 1-0 shutouts in a series was the '03-'04 Calgary Flames in their Conference Semifinals match-up against the Detroit Red Wings.  What if the Sabres can win the series by only scoring four goals combined in their wins?  That's four 1-0 wins for the mathematically challenged.  Anyone out there willing to place their money on the Sabres posting four shutout wins?  Not me.  This offense needs to wake up and find a way to outsmart Philadelphia goaltender Brian Boucher.

Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller had 32 saves in earning his second shutout of the playoffs and Jason Pominville's first period goal proved to be enough as the Sabres leave Buffalo with a win to even the series.  Arguably, Miller's best save of the night was made point-blank on his old teammate, Danny Briere.  With just under nine minutes remaining in the third period, a Sabres giveaway in their zone led to Briere with the puck on his stick with plenty of time at the top of Miller's crease, as seen in the picture below.  The nearest Sabres defenseman was Marc-Andre Gragnani but he was over fifteen feet away.  Briere made two quick dekes before firing his shot towards the right side of the net.  Miller's glove was waiting right there for it as he robbed Briere blind.

Ryan Miller makes a huge third period save on Danny Briere.
(Photo by Sean Rudyk/NHLI via Getty Images)

That save right there proves Ryan Miller's focus was back.  He responded to his not-so-good outing in Game Three very well.  What I personally loved about the game was the frustration on the faces of everyone involved with the Flyers organization.  They went straight to the media to voice their opinion and whine about the referee's calls.  "I just feel that they're doing a lot of whining," said Lindy Ruff.  "I didn't hear any whining when they had ten power plays in Philly and I didn't hear any whining when the power plays in the first game were lopsided, but all of a sudden there's all this whining that we're getting away with murder, that's a bunch of crap."  The Flyers have suddenly become a bunch of whiny little brats.  Peter Laviolette slamming his bench door at the end of the game was the icing on the cake.  Someone put some handcuffs on that guy before he breaks something or hurts someone!  Peter, let the players play and the coaches coach.  Besides, your ties are ugly.

Pominville's goal along with all of Miller's spectacular saves can be seen in the game highlights here.  The series will travel back to Philadelphia for Game Five tomorrow.  Games Three and Four in Buffalo each saw over 5,000 fans outside for the "Party in the Plaza."  Thank you fans!  This team thrives on your support.  Based on the way that Game Four ended last night with a couple minutes of extra-curricular activities and four minors being assessed, I think we will be in for an intense, rough game.  I thought it was interesting how Sabre defenseman Chris Butler logged over 27 minutes of ice-time for the second game this series.  It is the third time this series Butler has led the team in the ice-time column.  Lindy must be feeling pretty confident in Butler to award him with that much ice-time.  The update on Flyer defenseman Chris Pronger is that he's "expected" to play in Game Five but there are no guarantees.  Look for the hard-hitting battle to start as soon as the puck drops at 7:30pm EDT.