BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) The Buffalo Sabres are riding a wave. A wave of momentum during the final week of the NHL season.
"Somehow they pulled it off last night," said Paul Hamilton, Sabres beat reporter for WGR 550. "The Sabres are road warriors this year. They have one of the best road records in the National Hockey League at 24-12-3."
Hamilton said they needed the win to stay alive and they pulled it off.
The team is back at it Tuesday night and the big question is who will be the netminder? Devon Levi has gone 4-1-0 in his first five NHL starts. Monday night he made 26 saves to beat the Rangers for the second time in 11 days.
"You go with your best. Right now Levi's pulled off 4 games in 8 days and
he's done it quite well. He's the one who brought you. He hasn't faltered.
Why wouldn't you put him in the net?" asked Hamilton.
Buffalo has three remaining games. They have to win out and get some help
from other teams to advance.
The Sabres are 7-1-1 in their last nine games to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Everything is on the line for the Sabres Tuesday night. But what about New Jersey? What are they playing for?
"The Devils are one point behind Carolina for first place in the Metropolitan Division. If New Jersey stays in second place, they will have to open against the Rangers. If they get into first place, they will play one of two wild card teams, which would be an easier series for them," added Hamilton.
The Devils are coached by Lindy Ruff. Ruff was the last Sabres coach to take the team to the playoffs in 2011.
If the season came to an end Tuesday night, it would still be a 40 win season for Buffalo, for the first time in 12 years.
"Here we are on April 11 and they're still going," noted Hamilton. "It's not the usual time in the last decade, of Thanksgiving or Christmas or maybe New Year's. That's when it's basically been over for this team."
