Some thoughts from the NHL on TSN panel on Friday night:
Philadelphia Flyers
Of the teams facing elimination, I feel the Philadelphia Flyers have the best chance of coming back and winning the series.
Are there questions about their goaltending? Absolutely. But is there any question that they have the character to come back?
Last year they were down 3-0 to the Boston Bruins in the series and they were down 3-0 in Game 7 to the Bruins and managed to come back. They did the same thing in the game on Friday, fighting back from a three-goal deficit, but ultimately fell short.
Buffalo is playing well, but I think that the Flyers have the best chance of any team facing elimination.
I also won't be surprised if Chris Pronger is back in the lineup for Game 6. If he is, it makes a world of difference, even if he can't shoot the puck 100 percent.
Michael Leighton
Part of the reason Michael Leighton was recalled on re-entry waivers by the Flyers was in part because I don't think they had complete confidence in Sergei Bobrovsky becuase he struggled so badly down the stretch. Now he's right out of the equation.
I think also there is not an overwhelming level of confidence in Brian Boucher and I think that Leighton has the chance to be the starter the next time out.
Tyler Ennis
The Buffalo Sabres need their rookies and unheralded guys to step up. Gragnani has been leading the team in scoring, and he's a defenceman and a rookie.
Jason Pominville left the game in the first period, he took a skate blade to the leg. There's no prognosis on him yet, but it doesn't look good.
Tim Connolly has gone 28 games without a goal. Derek Roy is injured and not in the lineup.
The Sabres are looking for other sources to generate offence.