Great Hockey Goals Assists
SABRE NATION: Who will be this year’s Pominville?
Last year we were up 3 games to 1 and winning in Ottawa 2-1 in game 5. The Sens tied it up in the second and it was a war from there on out. I know I don’t have to recap everything, but it was a great game. Anyway, the score remained tied and went to OT. Jay McKee took a penalty that erupted the crowd and looked to charge up the Senators. Then, turnover, Pomer darts up the left side powers to the net and scores the OT, SH winner that eliminates Ottawa from the playoffs.
This season, #29 was one of the hottest selling jerseys all season. Pominville netted 34 goals and 34 assists. That one goal may have jump started a great hockey career.
So, who will step up against Ottawa this year? Who is due for a big series? Who leads us to the Cup finals?
If you’re asking which player will evolve into a major contributor after a solid rookie season, the way Pominville did from last season to this, the answer is very definitely Drew Stafford. But if you’re asking who will emerge in this series against Ottawa and win it for us the way Pommer did in last year’s playoffs, I’m not sure if Stafford will get the opportunity. The return of Gaustad has placed him in the press box (at least for now) so someone else will have to step into the hero’s role this time around.
I think Briere is definitely due for a big series and there is no better time than what I expect to be a very tough series with the Senators for him to step up his game. Captain Clutch (Drury) is always up for the job and could easily continue the heroics he exhibited in the Rangers series — to say nothing of his entire NHL career. Vanek might well turn it up another notch in this series — and don’t forget the ever-dangerous Mad Max.
To be perfectly honest, I don’t care if an individual steps forward to be the hero or if the team rises up collectively to ensure victory. All I want is to win this series one game at a time in hopes of securing a trip to the Stanley Cup finals. If it takes seven straight games of “heart attack hockey” to get there, so be it.
Let’s Go Buffalo!