Buffalo scored early in the third to take a 3-2 lead. Moments later Hasek stopped Straka on a penalty shot to keep the Sabres in the lead. The save energized Buffalo, and the Sabres went on to score two more goals to completely demoralize the Penguins. Pittsburgh hung goalie Johan Hedberg out to dry on several occasions and allowed 28 shots in the game. Defending home ice.
Buffalo needs to play at home like it has been doing in Pittsburgh.
If that happens, this could be a six-game series. Pittsburgh needs to generate sustained offensive pressure to take some of the pressure off the defense. Trying to win as a counterpunching team isn't going to work against Buffalo. The Sabres will need all of its defensemen healthy to close the series out. And the Penguins are going to have win one more in Buffalo to take the series.