Sabres Islanders Preview

A Columbus day affair between the Sabres and Islanders, well this sure won't be well watched around the country. Buffalo fans will watch, since half the population works for the government and they don't have to work today. But really no team excites me less, then the Islanders. They should move the team and get it over with, or just dispand it, and spread the players around. The only way to get out from the terrible Dipietro contract. But this one is on the schedule and the Sabres hopefully don't take the day off.

Islanders

Well the Islanders are a weird mix of players, ancient relics like Bill Guerin and Doug Weight. A guy who could become a superstar in Kyle Okposo. Then a bunch of role players like Mike Comrie, Bruno Gervais and Andy Hilbert. You look at the lineup and no one scares you. Now with the recent Rick Dipietro news where he might have to get more surgery on his knee. Chris Campoli, Mike Sillinger and Andy Sutton are on the IR. And Radek Martinek is hurt. They are already banged up and key players are hurt. Leaving Joey McDonald to save the bacon. Which in two games he has. But New Jersey and St Louis aren't what we call offensive juggernauts.

This won't be a pushover, the Islanders I'm sure will come out and play hard. Have a goalie no one has a book on. And with the new coach, each player is trying to show he's the man. Its also hard to do in depth analysis of a team thats played two games against one thats only played one game.

The Sabres

Coming out of the Montreal game, the team has to be feeling good. Well except Tim Connolly who I have given up on, now. Come on a cracked vertebrae? Does he have the weakest skeletal system in the NHL? What a bunch of crap, to use a phrase my girlfriend uses. Lucky for the Sabres they have the Islanders who I wouldn't call high scoring, and I feel will open it up a tad more today, since they aren't playing a good offensive team. I know Roy wants to play around so does Max. This could be a high scoring affair, or the Sabres could play it close and get their defense down.

I personally don't know what the Sabres are anymore. The high flying team of the past seems dead to me, and are turning into a lockdown team, that will take advantage of turnovers and win games 2-1, 3-2. The days of 7-6 are over with and Lindy Ruff I think has the team where he wants it.

Outlook.

I think the Sabres will win, but its too early to tell who the 2008-09 Sabres really are. But its nice to have a little afternoon hockey.

Sabres Islanders Preview

Hey its the final meeting between these two teams! YAY!!!!! Good riddance NY Islanders from the schedule. Don't need them. They are boring low scoring and not fun to watch. And tonight the Sabres can even the season series at 2 with a win on the island, in that tomb of a arena. It would feel depressing to me to play in that environment. Sure you're close to NYC, but you're far away from it, that you don't get the spotlight that the Rangers do. But anyway, these two play for a final time tonight at 7pm on MSG! Well I'll probably do some Christmas shopping and catch the end but whatever, it needs to be done.

So whats going on with the Islanders

Well since they lost to the Sabres. The Islanders beat the Coyotes 3-2 then lost to Pittsburgh 3-2. The Islanders are currently 15-14-2 with 32 points on the year, last in the Atlantic and 12th in the conference and 1 point behind the Sabres. And now one of their tough guys just got a 30 game suspension for trying to end Jarko Ruutu career. Well I'm sure many NHL'ers wouldn't cry a tear if that happened. Jarko is pretty dirty himself. So obviously the team is dealing with that and plus they can't score very much. But other then that, things are hunky dory for Ted Nolan and the Boys.

Who to watch for

Mike Comrie 25 points but a -13
Miro Satan 19 points
Bill Guerin 16 points

and really only Rick Dipietro with his .913 sv % and 2.49 GAA.

Outlook

Well who knows what to expect other then Kalinin to come back tonight and improve the defense even more. You know hes chomping at the bit to play and wants to contribute. The Sabres usually own the Islanders the past few years, except the first 2 games. These Sabres have found themselves. I would look for a decent performance, as they get ready for the home and home against the Flyers.

Sabres Islanders Preview

The Sabres and Islanders meet tonight at 7pm at HSBC. Its the first time they have met since, that opening weekend sweep by the Islanders, which was a signal to Sabre fans of the season to come. The islanders are always that team I feel the Sabres should beat no matter what, because I feel they are always bad. But with Teddy Nolan you know you'll get some fight out of these guys. Plus its always good to have Ted Nolan back in town. And Miro Satan, who shall be booed all night long. But he's probably used to that now.

Whats going on with the Islanders

The Islanders are coming in with only 3 wins in their last 11 games. They got off to a nice start but have been fading the past month or so. They have 30 points on the year and are a 14-12-2, so pretty much a .500 hockey club. They are currently 11th in the conference 3 points ahead of the Sabres. Their goal differential is not that good on the season, standing at a -14. And if you look at the defensemen, none are a + player. So they are struggling in the defensive zone this year. But they are always a tough game and the Sabres could really use 2 points, if they show the effort from Monday, but actually get the puck in, they should win tonight.

Who does what on the Islanders

Mr Hillary Duff, Mike Comrie is leading the team in points with only 22. And is also a bad -11. So if hes on the ice, theres a good chance you'll score. He also leads the team in goals with 9. Old friend Miro Satan is second in points with 16, and is also the highest rated player on the team with a +2! Thats not good when Miro Satan has the highest +/- rating on your squad. But the islanders are full of muckers and grinders, like Sillinger, Hunter, Simon, Guerin( who just broke out of a 16 game goal drought), and Witt. Just the type of style Ted Nolan would want. It just doesn't result in wins right now. But the heart of the Islanders is Rick Dipietro. How he plays determines how the Islanders play. Hes having a good year with a 2.38GAA and a .912 sv%. But who knows if hes playing tonight, but I would guess so.


I'll be disposed tonight so enjoy all the Sabre Islander action without me. So that means they'll probably win.