Series Breakdown: Flyers vs. Sabres
By Bill Clement
Special to ESPN.com
This is one of the most interesting of all the first-round matchups. Check out which team has the edge, and then see what I think the outcome will be.
Matching up 5-on-5
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BREAKDOWN
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EDGE
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This will be a low-scoring series. The Flyers are the league's second-best team at keeping the shots against down. So Buffalo's offense will have to make its shots count by driving for rebounds. Philadelphia's offense revolves around where the series is played. If the Flyers can establish the down-low game with the dump and chase, they will crush Buffalo's defense. For Buffalo to win, Jay McKee and Rhett Warrener must elevate their games.
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Special teams
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BREAKDOWN
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EDGE
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This is a complete mismatch -- the league's No. 2 power-play team in Philadelphia against Buffalo's No. 28 power play. If the series gets nasty with lots of penalties, and therefore creates power-play opportunities for the Flyers, Buffalo will be dead in the water.
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Goaltending
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BREAKDOWN
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EDGE
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Dominik Hasek vs. Brian Boucher. The Dominator vs. the rookie. What else is there to say?
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Intangibles
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BREAKDOWN
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EDGE
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Line matchups will be critical. If the Flyers can get Keith Primeau matched against Doug Gilmour, it will be a huge advantage for Philadelphia. Home-ice is important to Philadelphia in this series because of that matchup and because the Flyers will get the last line change when they are at home. One question surrounding the series will be the puck-handling of the two goalies. Those could be keys to the series. Hasek likes to overplay the puck at times, and Boucher isn't very good at handling the puck.
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PREDICTION
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Flyers in six. Philadelphia will win on the strength of its power play.
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Bill Clement, a former NHL star with the Flyers, serves as an NHL analyst for ESPN and ABC.
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