The Sabres were soft. The Sabres didn't seriously start forechecking, backchecking, or blocking shots until game 4.

The Sabres had several attacks of individual-itis, where one player decides he's got to do everything himself and tries a heroic, but low-percentage play.

I've seen this before, many times, but in Sens jerseys.

The Sabres spent the second half of the year playing a little sloppy, which you can afford while scoring 5 or 6 goals every night.

As a Sens fan I have keen insight into the cost of postseason sloppyness. Until this year I hadn't really understood the benefits of solid, consistent, defensive hockey.

Maybe it's no surprise the Sabres couldn't re-tool overnight into a tight playoff machine, after a whole season of fast-and-loose offensive style.

What boggles my mind is they didn't even try to retool until game 4 against the Sens, having won rounds 1 and 2 on sheer talent, in spite of their style of play.

I'd say a lot of the blame should be on the coach. Admittedly it's hard to sell defensive responsability to guys who are winning lots of regular season hockey games, but to go into round 3 playing like that... Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.

Playoff MVP - Miller and his goalposts.

Emery - as good as he had to be. Didn't steal any games, didn't lose any games, made some nice saves at key times.