Offensive differences in Sabres-Flyers
It would be tough to find teams with more wildly different philosophies. The Sabres will take the HSBC Arena ice tonight intent on using all four lines equally. If the Flyers are going to score, it's usually two lines that are going to do it.
More than 86 percent of Philadelphia's forward production has come from its top six forwards. The fourth line has contributed only 4.2 percent. Meanwhile, the Sabres' four lines are chipping in at rates of 37 percent, 31.5 percent, 17.8 percent and 13.7 percent.
The offensive disparity can be traced to different financial plans. Since the salary cap was instituted, Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier has been a proponent of a balanced pay scale. The Flyers like high-priced stars and lower-paid complements. That said, those stars can take over a game, and usually do.
So, what's your preference? A handful of All-Star, Olympic-caliber players capable of scoring any shift surrounded by pluggers, or a group of relatively even units that still have talent up top?
---John Vogl
