Sports Network: Has the preview for tonight's game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo comes in off a 3-2 loss at Washington Friday having lost three in a row.
Buffalo News: John Vogl reports among line changes that Defenseman Craig Rivet, who missed his seventh straight game with a shoulder injury, was the only banged-up Sabre to make the trip to Washington. Ruff said Rivet will be evaluated by team doctors today.
Forwards Nathan Gerbe (upper body), Patrick Kaleta (neck/head), Paul Gaustad (upper body) and Tim Connolly (rib) did not come for the Sabres’ morning skate.
Buffalo is 1-4-2 in the second of back to back games and 9-8 at home this season.
This was Buffalo's injury report as of today:
Updated Player Pos Injury Expected Return
12/23/08 Craig Rivet D Upper body IR. Out until at least early January
12/23/08 Tim Connolly C Ribs IR. Out until at least late December
12/23/08 Paul Gaustad C Upper body Questionable for Dec. 26 at Washington
12/19/08 Nathan Gerbe C Upper body IR. Out until at least late December
12/23/08 Jochen Hecht C Ear Questionable for Dec. 26 at Washington
12/22/08 Patrick Kaleta RW Head Out until late December
As of 12:30pm there are no recalls by the Islanders for Andy Hilbert which means Fritz or Sim play.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
Only the Islanders know what the story is with regard to Rick DiPietro playing again tonight, a fair/good guess would be Joey MacDonald.
Patrick Lalime has played both games against the Islanders this year.
I have no doubt the Islanders have not thrown in the towel on this season, if a win does not give the club some confidence from here, nothing else will.