Two Words: Game Seven...

Note: I'm having some trouble with pictures, but I'll fix that later. For now enjoy the boring, text-only posts.
So here we are. Game Seven. The lives of the Buffalo Sabres, as well as those of the city's fans who have been along for the ride, are both on the line. Does it get any better than this?

The big news today is that Jay McKee did not travel to Carolina with the team. This adds to the already diminished defense core of Teppo Numminen, Dimitri Kalinin, and Henrik Tallinder. Supposedly McKee has been playing with a leg injury that gets reaggrivated each time he blocks a shot. You have to give the guy some credit, he knows he's hurt, but it hasn't prevented him from doing what he does best. I know some people think McKee can screw up sometimes, but he is the heart of this team. There's a reason he's a captain folks. The guy goes out there every game and plays his damn heart out. Case in point: playing almost 30 minutes this past Tuesday.

The news the past hour has been that McKee will attempt to make it down to Raleigh by game time, but it is unclear if he will play or not. He wants to be there for the team, but will be a game time decision.

There are a few things the Sabres need to do tonight in my mind in order to win:

1. Come out with a vengeance.
We need to start this game like we have most games throughout the playoffs: with a fury. If we get the Canes on their heels, it should be easier to get the job done.

2. POWER PLAY!!!
The power play finally came through with Briere's OT goal Tuesday night, but it needs to continue. It hasn't worked so well against Carolina, and it's clear we will need the power play on our side in order to win an away game.

3. Maxim Afinogenov needs to do something...anything.
The point leader for this team by the end of the season hasn't done anything during the playoffs. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty pissed off at Max. I love the guy, but he is pressing way too hard. There are plenty of players on this team to help him along the way, he needs to let the game come to him. How great would it be if Maxie had the game winner tonight? Hmmm...

4. Ryan Miller needs one more miracle.
There's no reason to discuss how bad-ass this kid has been, so I'll leave it at this: keep it up you beast.

5. BELIEVE!
This team has overcome key injuries throughout the season and the playoffs. Every time they have been counted out, they respond. When there were four teams left in the playoffs, an ESPN.com poll showed that 52% of people wanted the Sabres to win it all. That's huge. America loves underdogs, but Buffalo is not an underdog anymore. They have played probably the two best teams in the NHL in consecutive series. They destroyed one, and took the other to tonight's game seven. It's time to prove this team isn't lucky: it's for real folks!

GOOO SABRES!

Edmonton, we're coming for you. Yeah, I mean you Peca...

Mets Walk-Off Fever...and other notes

Hey folks. So far I've had a pretty good response to my blog. Like I may have said to some of you, this site will be used as a reference on my resume one day, so I'm glad that others are enjoying it as much as I am writing it. I haven't wrote much recently, but it's been a pretty crazy week. Taking my regular schedule into consideration and adding the crazy ride that has been the Buffalo Sabres playoff run, I've been pretty busy. Here's a couple new posts for today though. Enjoy!

The Mets took 2 of 3 from the Arizona Diamondbacks the past few days in what became a very exciting series: maybe even a prelude to the playoffs later this year. Games one and three saw the Mets win in walk-off fashion, with help from David Wright and Endy Chavez respectively.

I have to say, David Wright continues to roll. He has been my favorite player on the team since last year, and he just continues to get better and more mature each game. Endy Chavez has also been a pleasant surprise this year. First he does a great job subbing for Beltran eralier in the season when he goes down, now he's coming up with big hits in clutch situations. Just another example of a great role player on this team.

Last nights extra innings thriller ended in a 1-0 decision, with Pedro Martinez and Brandon Webb both leaving the game after stellar performances. I feel bad for Pedro, his last 5 decisions haven't resulted in a win in the stats, but it's good to hear from him that a team win is more important than his own stats. Pedro has definitely grown up, and he is definitely pitching on a tear right now.

Credit Duaner Sanchez with the win, however, he came in during extra innings and pitched phenomenal. Another example of a player understanding exactly what they need to do for this team to win though.

The big news though? Lastings Milledge!!! (pictured above) The Mets outfielder of the future made his debut the past two games after Xavier Nady hit the DL. The 21 year old came to Shea and performed with mixed results. His only hit of the two games was a double down the line. He was credited with an error yesterday when he dropped a routine line drive out to right, creating his first "boo's" from the Shea crowd. He later made up for it though, when Craig Counsell decided to test the rookie, running from first to third on a hit to right field. And boy, did Milledge respond, he fielded the ball and gunned it to David Wright at third, on the fly, to catch Counsell. Impressive. I have high hopes for Lastings. I like his swing, and it's only a matter of time before he gets going. This team will really help him along the way as well. Plenty of smart baseball players that can groom him on his way up. Should be interesting if we keep him around when Nady is back.

The Mets have the day off today, and welcome Barry "Baroid" Bonds and the San Francisco Ginats to Shea starting Friday.