The Sabres are playing it cool and calm, but desperation must sink in if the team can salvage a floundering playoff run.
It almost has to begin Friday night at HSBC Arena against No. 4 Philadelphia.
Moribund performances that include either blown leads or no leads have the Sabres five points out of both the No. 7 and No. 8 seed. Buffalo has earned points in just two of five contests, and has blown two-goal leads in back-to-back losses to Atlanta and Ottawa.
The Senators' Thursday win over Montreal has Buffalo just six points out of the Northeast Division basement, with Toronto boasting 71 points, and Ottawa up to 70.
As for Friday's opponent, the Flyers are in the middle of a brutal stretch which sees them face all playoff teams except the Sabres. They've lost three of four to start, falling to Washington at home and Detroit and the Rangers on the road. Their lone win came Sunday at the Rangers. After Friday's game, the Flyers head to red-hot Pittsburgh before hosting New Jersey and Florida.
Patrick Lalime will man the nets for Buffalo's 7:30 p.m. start against Philadelphia.
It almost has to begin Friday night at HSBC Arena against No. 4 Philadelphia.
Moribund performances that include either blown leads or no leads have the Sabres five points out of both the No. 7 and No. 8 seed. Buffalo has earned points in just two of five contests, and has blown two-goal leads in back-to-back losses to Atlanta and Ottawa.
The Senators' Thursday win over Montreal has Buffalo just six points out of the Northeast Division basement, with Toronto boasting 71 points, and Ottawa up to 70.
As for Friday's opponent, the Flyers are in the middle of a brutal stretch which sees them face all playoff teams except the Sabres. They've lost three of four to start, falling to Washington at home and Detroit and the Rangers on the road. Their lone win came Sunday at the Rangers. After Friday's game, the Flyers head to red-hot Pittsburgh before hosting New Jersey and Florida.
Patrick Lalime will man the nets for Buffalo's 7:30 p.m. start against Philadelphia.
