So Buffalo has outshot the home team 119-65 in three road games, and outscored them a modest 9-6. Even still, they've played their best hockey by far on the road. Last season they often played a much better game - simple and hard working - than at home where they often try to play to the home crowd, get too fancy and sloppy, and lose.

So the solution is easy - agree to play all home games at the other teams rink, or just stick to the basics and play a "road" game at HSBC. So to chime in on the "motivation or talent" thread, the answer is motivation. Lots of teams have great talent, and generally the most talented teams perform better. That doesn't mean lesser talented teams can't compete or be very successful. Buffalo is probably above average in talent, so there's no excuse why they can't compete harder than they have. They just have to play a simple and hard working game, and somehow find the attitude and discipline to stick to it.

At the very least, have a coach bus pick each of them up at their houses and ride to the rink together.