Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres have been idle Friday and Saturday and also won't play on Sunday. On Saturday the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Boston Bruins 2-1, the Montreal Canadiens lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 while the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-1. The Sabres lead the division with 106 points while Tampa Bay and Montreal both have 104.
That means all three teams in the Atlantic Division have two more games left. If Montreal looses on Sunday to the New York Islanders or the Sabres win in Chicago on Monday., the Sabres will clinch home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Sabres can put away the Lightning with one win and a loser point against the Hawks and the Dallas Stars who come to Buffalo on Wednesday. The Stars have clinched second place in the Central Division and will have nothing to play for and may rest some players. Tampa Bay is home vs the Detroit Red Wings who have been eliminated for the 10th straight year and on the road against the New York Rangers.
As far as the Eastern Conference goes, Buffalo has to win both of their games and Carolina has to lose in regulation at both Philadelphia against the Flyers and Long Island vs the Islanders.
On Saturday the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins clinched the two Eastern Conference Wild Card positions.
Buffalo can clinch home ice with one win in two games
Buffalo can clinch home ice with one win in two games
