Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The intensity is sure to be at a new high Thursday night in Boston when the Sabres and Bruins meet in Game 3 of their first round series tied at one game apiece.
Fists finally started flying in the third period of Game 2 Tuesday after five periods of hard hits.
"It's playoff hockey. There was lots of stuff going on. It's a battle of who can suck the other person in, basically. Can I get him to take a penalty in some of these scrums or can I take a punch to draw a penalty," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said after Buffalo's 4-2 loss Tuesday.
Can the Sabres crack Swayman?
Despite taunts from the KeyBank Center crowd, Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman wasn't phased for most of Games 1 and 2 in Buffalo. He was outstanding for 52 minutes Sunday and 54 minutes Tuesday. Swayman has stopped 68 of 73 shots through the first two games for a .932 save percentage.
Sabres looking for an answer on the powerplay
Perhaps no area of the Sabres' game has been under more scrutiny than the powerplay. Buffalo is 0-9 on the powerplay in the series, drawing boos from fans for failing to generate much of anything. Even worse, the Sabres powerplay is 0-31 in their last nine games.
"Obviously at this stage it's going to be a conversation in the coaches' room, for sure," Ruff said following Game 2.
Who's in goal for Buffalo?
Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had a strong first period in Game 2, but cracks started to show after the Sabres netminder allowed a goal from center ice in the 2nd period. He let in two more after that and was replaced by Alex Lyon sixteen seconds into the third period Tuesday.
Luukkonen's numbers are a cause for concern. He's stopped 32 of 39 shots. That gives him an .821 save percentage and 4.19 goals against average. Whether a change is made in net is yet to be determined, though Lindy Ruff hinted Wednesday it's possible.
"I usually don't talk about who's starting," Ruff told reporters.
Road warriors
Buffalo is among the best teams in the league on the road this season with 24 wins. Boston has a counterpunch there, though. They were tied with Carolina this season for most home wins with 29. Something has to give if either team wants to go up 2-1.
Puck drop from TD Garden is set for 7:00 p.m. Thursday. You can listen to the game on WGR. The game will be shown on MSG and TNT on television.
Series shifts to Boston as series becomes best of 5
Series shifts to Boston as series becomes best of 5
