by Bob Herpen
Phanatic Hockey Editor
Once again, with momentum on their side and a chance to dispatch the opposition, the Philadelphia Flyers came through, passing this test with flying colors.
Danny Briere posted a goal and one assist, while Brian Boucher stopped 26 shots as the Flyers posted a 5-2 victory over Buffalo in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.
Braydon Coburn, James van Riemsdyk and Ville Leino also tallied for the Flyers, who advanced to the second round for the third time in four seasons by winning their third straight seventh game.
It was a laugher compared to the franchise's last two Game 7 challenges -- a 4-3 win over Boston last May 14 in which they rallied from an 0-3 series deficit and 3-0 deficit in the final game, and a 3-2 overtime win at Washington in April, 2008 that saw the departed Joffrey Lupul score the series winner.
Claude Giroux notched a pair of assists as Philadelphia won its first home Game 7 since a 2003 East quarterfinal against Toronto.
Boucher, whose only previous Game 7 start was a heartbreaking 2-1 Philly loss to New Jersey in the 2000 Eastern Conference finals, restored the confidence of head coach Peter Laviolette after he was not selected to start Sunday's Game 6 in favor of Michael Leighton.
The 34-year-old Boucher made 24 saves on 25 shots in that 5-4 overtime win in relief of Leighton, and just allowed two third-period scores in Tuesday's series-clinching decision.
Tyler Myers and Brad Boyes scored for the Sabres, who have not won a playoff round since reaching the East finals in 2007.
Ryan Miller, who posted two shutouts in the set, was pulled after allowing four goals on 28 shots in just under 42 minutes. Jhonas Enroth finished the game with seven stops.
It was 2-0 for Philly on a power play at 4:45 of the second period. Briere won a right-circle draw ahead to Giroux, who pushed the puck back to Mike Richards. His right-point shot hit Briere in front, and the former Sabre tipped it into an open net.
It was Briere's sixth goal of the series -- tops among all players on both clubs.
Just after the midway point of the second, the Flyers took a three-goal edge on another advantage, when Giroux's shot from the boards along the left wing was tipped in front by van Riemsdyk and beat Miller high to the far side.
Boucher wasn't tested until 1:15 remained in the second, when he stuck his pad to the left post to deny two Drew Stafford shots in succession.
Leino's rocket shot from the left circle less than two minutes into the third zipped over Miller's shoulder for a 4-0 game, and Enroth was summoned from the bench.
Myers finally put the Sabres on the board at 6:33, but Dan Carcillo backhanded his own rebound home with 9:57 remaining.
A power-play score from Boyes pulled Buffalo within three at 15:21, and Enroth went to the bench for an extra skater in the final two minutes. The Flyers were able to maintain control until time expired thanks to two Buffalo penalties in the final minute.
The home team came out roaring from the drop of the puck, outshooting Buffalo 16-2 in the opening 20 minutes.
Miller somehow forced Giroux to hit the right post when the shifty winger was all alone in front in the early stages.
Richards put a turnover right into Miller's chest in the final minute, but the Sabres netminder let a Coburn point shot trickle through his pads with 18.2 seconds to go. Briere set up the score by winning a right-circle draw back to the rangy defenseman.
Notes: Philadelphia improved to 9-6 all-time in Game 7s and upped its mark to 6-3 at home...Buffalo fell to 1-6 all-time in Game 7s, 0-5 on the road...Flyers forward Jeff Carter missed the game due to a sprained MCL in his right knee suffered earlier in the series, and forward Andreas Nodl was also a scratch with a facial injury suffered early in the set...The NHL announced earlier Tuesday that Ian Laperriere, who has not played this season for Philadelphia, was one of three finalists for the Masterton Trophy...The Sabres welcomed back forward Derek Roy after a four-month absence from quad surgery and forward Jochen Hecht from a concussion and both players picked up an assist...Buffalo missed forwards Jason Pominville and Tim Connolly...Sabres forward Thomas Vanek ranked second among all players with five goals in the series.
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