NHL Playoffs: Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers Game Recap

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Mike Grier #25 of the Buffalo Sabres hits Danny Syvret #26 of the Philadelphia Flyers into the boards in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April

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The Buffalo Sabres were able to take home ice advantage from the Philadelphia Flyers by grinding one out in a 1-0 victory.

Ryan Miller made 33 saves on his way to his second career shutout. Patrick Kaleta had the games lone goal off of a rebound in the third period.

Here are four keys to the game that led to a Sabres victory.

The Philadelphia Flyers Power Play

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: James van Riemsdyk #21 of the Philadelphia Flyers hits Chris Butler #34 of the Buffalo Sabres in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2011

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Coming into the series, many analysts predicted the Sabres would have the advantage in special teams. This game was right on point with those prognostications.

The Flyers went 0-for-5 with the man advantage. This included an extended 5-on-3 in the second period.

For the most part, the Flyers couldn't generate many chances on the power play and had a difficult time getting clean shots on the net. The Sabres did an outstanding job getting in the lanes and blocking shots.

On the flip side, the Sabres were unsuccessful with their only man advantage attempt.

The power play will definitely be a focal point as the Flyers regroup for Game 2.

Ryan Miller

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It's something that is heard time and time again. This time was no different. This game came down to goaltending.

As Jaroslav Halak illustrated last season, a team can go deep into the postseason no matter the opponent.

Ryan Miller played excellent, despite facing a ton of traffic in and around the crease.

Going into this series, the Sabres were expected to have the advantage in this series.

Although, Sergei Bobrovsky played well, Miller was better. Many times in the NHL playoffs it can come down to just one mistake which was evident in this game.

The Physical Play

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Steve Montador #4 of the Buffalo Sabres takes a two minute penalty for tripping James van Riemsdyk #21 of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at

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The Philadelphia Flyers were expected to establish the play with a physical game and that's just what they did.

However, the Buffalo Sabres were able to answer the bell by dishing out some punishment of their own.

The Sabres didn't cower away when faced with Flyers aggressive forecheck. The Sabres were able to match them hit-for-hit.

The Sabres Grinders

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Referee Kelly Sutherland #11 climbs on the back of the net to get a better view of the play between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley

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The Flyers were the better team for the majority of this game. However, the Sabres hung around.

Eventually, the line of Cody McCormick, Mike Grier and Rob Niedermayer were able to establish a solid shift inside the Flyers zone where Grier delivered a bone crushing check.

Moments later, another grinder, Patrick Kaleta was able to tap in a rebound for the game's only goal.

These unsung heroes will have to continue to play well. These are the type of players that win a team a Stanley Cup, especially when their team is having trouble generating offense.

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