ECQF Game 7 Notes (Updating until Puck Drop)

Here is the thread leading into the Flyers Sabres meeting in the Well. This one decides it all. Here are the headlines.

11:10 am

Injuries

via @HockeyWitch17: "Hecht, Lalime--out long term. Connolly & Pominville expected to be out tonight. Kaleta, Morrisson & Grier doubtful for game 7 tonight."

Neither, Carter nor Nodl are expected to be in the lineup tonight. Pronger will play. Boynton. Bartulis, Walker, and Shelley have also been ruled out.


Line Ups

The Sabres will fit Roy into their lineup after being without since December. It is odd, however, that Mike Grier and Patrick Kaleta could be out game 7 after missing practice yesterday. They are the Sabres leading hitters this series.

The question for the Flyers is Chris Pronger. If he can play more than 10 minutes expect Danny Syvret to be out of the lineup. The Flyers dressed 7 defenseman last game forcing the Flyers' Dan Carcillo to double shift.

Mike Richards has not and will not receive any league discipline after a questionable hit on Tim Connolly.

Goaltending

Nothing new for the Sabs, Ryan Miller will get the start. He gave up 5 goals on 49 during Sunday's loss. Miller also has 2 shutouts this series.

The Flyers will dress Sergei Bobrovsky who will backup Brian Boucher. The Flyers emergency goalie will be Johan Backlund. Mike Leighton has managed to work his way back to the press box after allowing 3 goals in the first period of game 6.

4:50 pm

Sabres Injury Update

Nothing more announced yet on either sides. However, Patrick Kaleta is unofficially ruled out for tonight's game. The Toronto Sun wrote this:

In preparation for Game 7 of this riveting first-round Eastern Conference showdown between the Sabres and the Philadelphia Flyers, both Roy and Jochen Hecht, who has missed the entire playoffs to date with an upper-body injury, were out on the ice for the morning skate.

On the other hand, Kaleta and fellow forward Mike Grier, who entered the postseason with a knee ailment, did not skate. Sources say Kaleta did not even make the trip to Philadelphia.

There is a suspicion that Kaleta suffered a broken hand, although the Sabres would not confirm the injury.

 Full article can here read HERE.

5:45 pm

New Stripes

The refs for tonight's game will be Dan O'Rourke, Stephen Walkom, Brad Lazarowich, and Brian Murphy per @davegisaac. These are not the same refs from games 1-6. A very smart move by the NHL, putting its' best where it counts most.

Sabres Injuries Confirmation

via @BillHoppeSabres: Ruff offered almost nothing w/injuries-lineup. Kaleta + Grier are out. Leopold will be game-time decision. Didn't skate.

730 pm

Roy and Hecht are in the line up for the Sabres. Only new players for Buffalo meaning Sekera is out.

Flyers Lines

Hartnell Briere Leino / JVR Giroux Zherdev / Carcillo Richards Versteeg / Powe Betts.
Carle Meszaros / Timonen Coburn / O'Donnell Syvret / Pronger.
Boucher / Bobrovsky.

Flyers will dress 7 defensemen and likely roll Danny Carcillo on that 4th line as well.

Game is on CSN Philly, TSN, MSG-B, and VS.. NOW!