Max Factors In To The Playoff Picture

The Buffalo Sabres managed to survive in the playoff race one more day thanks to a timely shootout goal from Maxim Afinogenov, winning 4-3 in the skills comp. It looked bleak after the first minute of the game though, as jerkwad Darcy Tucker scored to put the Leafs up 1-0. Kaberle increased their lead to 2-0 on the power play at the end of the first.

Derek Roy cut the lead in half in the second period, sweeping in a rebound of an Afinogenov shot (which probably should’ve been a pass anyway) from his knees. The Sabres tied it at 2 on a contested goal by Steve Bernier. Big Bear tipped the puck underneath Raycroft (who had a great game after not playing since late January, stopping 38 in regulation and OT) as he crashed the net, and the video review showed it was over the line before the net came off the moorings. Steen put Toronto back on top a few minutes later, but Thomas Vanek had one of his patented tip-in goals on the PP to send the game to OT.

Miller made some great saves in OT, but the Sabres failed to capitalize on a power play and the game went to a shootout. Ryan got faked out on the first shot, unable to recover in time to stop Kaberle, but Kotalik had his back, notching his 5th shootout goal. Miller stopped all other Toronto shots as Sabre after Sabre rang shots off the post, until Max finished it with a great deke.

The Sabres’ playoff hopes now rest in the hands of New Jersey and Pittsburgh, who can help out by beating Boston and Philly tomorrow night. It will be a tense night of scoreboard watching for sure.