Starting netminders for this opening game of the series are Brian Bobrovsky in his first ever playoff game for the Flyers and Ryan Miller for the Sabres.
Chris Pronger was missing from the Fyers line up, listed as day to day with his injury.
The game started quiet with both teams feeling their way into the game, both netminders only facing half chances in the opening exchanges. 4 minutes into the game and a simple chipped puck was gloved high by Miller and as the players skated in for any rebound a minor scuffle occured. This brought the first 2 penalties of the game, Weber and Richards called for roughing and the first period of 4 on 4 play.
Van Riemsdyk then hit the post after Montador gave away the puck in his own zone at around the 5 minute mark with the rebound being centred harmlessley through the crease.
An Interference call at 6.34 on McCormick gave the Flyers 1st PP of the game but this comfortably killed off by the Sabres.
Defense remained on top for most of this period with not many chances. The next PP chance coming for Buffalo with an interference call on Versteeg at 15.13
Even with an extra man for 2 minutes this failed to bring any clear cut scoring chances for the Sabres and the Flyers PK was well on top.
18.39 and another PP chance for the Flyers as Montador was called for holding.
This brings what turns out the only sustained period of attacking pressure in the 1st period but the Flyers fail to put the puck in the net. They did build up some momemtum and would look to take it into the 2nd period.
Shots in the 1st period were 10 a piece.
The 2nd period started pretty much the same as the 1st,with both teams defense running the game and neither team creating any real clear cut chances.
The Flyers went on their 3rd powerplay of the game at 8.20 with Montador called for tripping and at 9.42 Morrisonn was called for a slash to make it almost 40 seconds of 5 on 3 PP.
The Sabres held on and killed off both the PP, The Flyers really only putting sustained pressure on the net towards the end on the 2nd penalty.
The period remained close and physical with both teams throwing hits and keeping each other at bay.
The score still tied at 0-0 going into the 3rd period with shots on goal being 26 19 in favour of the Flyers.
Philadelphia were on top through the first 2 periods but Miller dealt with everything thrown at him. The Flyers took the puck on net on numerous occasions trying to jab and poke the puck in. Flyers definately used a crash the net tactic to try and force something in.
Into the 3rd period and the Sabres took the lead at 5.56 through Patrick Kaleta. A point shot from Gragnani was saved by Bobrovsky but the rebound went straight into Kaleta's path and he couldn't miss with the net wide open.
Leino drew another PP chance for the Flyers at 11.03, dekeing Myers and forcing him to leave a trailing leg stuck out and trip his opponent. Yet again the Flyers failed to produce though and didn't create many scoring chances.
The Flyers struggled all game to get quality chances with their crash the net tactic clearly not working. Miller is one big, strong netminder and all he had to do all night is stand strong and hold his ground. They hardly threw any shots on net from the hash marks or the point, instead perfering to drive to the crease on every occasion. There was no variation and despite controlling this game for long periods they just never looked like breaking down a very impressive Buffalo defense who had an answering for everything thrown at them.
Buffalo played the perfect smash and grab game, keeping solid at the back and getting the only clear cut chance of the game and burying it.
Man of the match has to go to Ryan Miller for standing strong in goal and getting a 35 shot shutout.
The only goal gave Kaleta 1+0, Gragnani and Gaustad 0+1
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