New York 7, Buffalo 6, Grabner Hat-Trick, Wishart 1st.....Snow Owns Mario

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If only New York was in some kind of realistic playoff contention.

Not a good game at all five on five and Koskinen finally struggled, but sixteen goals in two games, nineteen in three, and three fantastic wins in four days, where they had to work very hard. They just beat a hot, rest team at home and a very good goaltender.

This is not a league where even the best teams play many high scoring games.

That's 2-0 at Buffalo.

Michael Grabner has just been amazing and getting more confident in several area's of the ice, and obviously is making a run at Calder, player of week month, and whatever else is out there, and Okposo is just getting started even with Nielsen unable to finish at even strength. Comeau was not on the list of players practicing Saturday, apparently he was ready and had a nice backhand goal. Tavares another, Moulson looked hurt in second and that could linger. Wishart got his first, Jurcina a big pp goal?

Remember those blog entries on defenders not scoring a while back or five goals on season. MacDonald and Hamonic keep rolling along and improving.

Stick to Nielsen's face no call? MacDonald's play to stop breakaway down 4-2 was robbery.

Al Montoya, far from perfect, but his first NHL win for New York, still cannot find a quote from him which is approaching Freddy Meyer like proportions going from NY-PHOENIX-back, with no interview.
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As for the media side show Mario Lemieux obviously has a selective memory and really did not need to go there and let the league handle the process. Not the first time he has done this when he does not get things his way, and his silence regarding his own players/coaches transgressions to control themselves speak volumes.

Sure Lemieux should stick up for his team, but he wants to call out league, he should face consequences.

Snow for his part stuck up for his team (Al Arbour/Denis Potvin were pleased and they know better than Lemieux) and Garth Snow sounded off like a professional executive, who asked the same questions this blog did, along with Howie Rose about the Pens not controlling their players.

Sure he had a little creative tap-dancing spinning Gillies actions.

Even Mario's former teammate, Rob Brown, had some criticism of Matt Cooke today out of Canadian media here.

Snow should be proud of his players, and respectful of the process with his comments to the public. Charles Wang should not say a word.

New York Hockey getting some media coverage, with friends like Newsday, we need no enemies. Larry Brooks must be very upset the Islanders are getting far more media play, than Cablevision's team to unleash his latest blind-unreasoning assault with no quotes from anyone to support his silly claims, but par for course from him.

Not like Post is covering New York Islander hockey games.

This even forced NY Times, Dave Caldwell, to even include score of Sunday's road win in another rare article.

Islanders website already has post-game up with player comments.

Of course the game now becomes who has the most friends/media of each side defend the other. Hopefully for the New York side, they are done.

Oh well, on to Ottawa and perhaps a player of week for Grabner? He's heading toward the top ten in NHL scoring.

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Tavares Hat-Trick.... New York 5, Buffalo 3

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Heck of an effort and win Saturday night by New York, worth a blog entry because a lot happened.

Tavares could have had five and the Islanders could have had eight or nine if Miller was not at his best. This kids hands, move to the net are getting better and better, he looks very comfortable/confident in front of net. Miller made right play on all three goals.

Of course, even Mick Vukota can score a natural hat-trick here back in 1989 which was ironically a 5-3 New York win.

Vukota got his with about forty seconds to spare vs Tavares.

Early (aside from Grabner's speed or a Comeau miss in front, Tavares-Pareneau 2-0) the first period offense came mostly from the point, but second period the Islanders simply dominated with a level of skating and skill that was a lot of fun to watch.

That second period was a lot like the effort against Vancouver (after first) and several teams recently. Aside from Bailey, everyone was getting chances or kept moving, the Islanders overwhelmed Buffalo and put on pressure they could not stand up against.

So Jurcina get's a penalty at end of first for high-sticking Vanek who is kneeling in crease, next period a 5'5 Sabre makes contact on Milan Jurcina, draws blood but no call with all these officials on ice? Comical, because rule is you are responsible for your stick.

Rick DiPietro played very well, however his stickhandling at the end of the first led to Buffalo keeping the puck in which gave them a powerplay, then another, which led to their 1-0 goal. That may not be fair but as soon as that puck was barely kept in the Sabres got in close and forced a penalty, you could see it coming.

Either Hamonic/MacDonald spread full out to break up a 2-1 in the second which was great and led to Islanders getting a 2-1 the other way. Gervais was outstanding along with all the defenders tonight.

MacDonald has twelve points since December 18th, he is also -8 since 12/27 to go with huge minutes he is given.

Third period was too much of same script, I almost expected Capuano's time out after the first minutes. They have to keep pushing play, not sit back and let game come to them.

Grabner has been so due, his speed every game is generating chances on every shift, and that was a fantastic shot to beat Miller, and finally take off the pressure.

Buffalo was a desperate team 5-1-1 that needed a win tonight to keep pace, both teams could have scored a lot more but in this one New York was the better team.

Would it be a Buffalo-New York game without Hecht scoring? Officiating was again very questionable tonight.

Steve Montador was doing a lot of solid hitting tonight against Islander players, the Islander staff should be showing that footage in meetings.

Round one of four goes to New York, next up what seems like a Devils team that is showing signs of getting it's game back under Jacques Lemaire.

Jon Sim:
If the Islanders and Jon Sim parting was amiable, I have no problem with it. If it was not he signed a two-way contract and was obligated to see through the agreement he signed last summer when he was free to sign with any other NHL team. Bridgeport could have used his scoring on a six game slide and a veteran to help them as he has in the past.

I don't understand why his scoring was missing this year, last year he had thirteen goals and some big ones to keep the club in games. I do believe he got a fair chance this season and played hard, but without the production. Given the current standings, it made no sense to keep him up here, but without Rhett Rakhshani, Nielsen and Okposo this team could well be short a forward in a game they may not want to dress Trevor Gillies.

I'm going to miss Jon Sim, of course I wish him the best of luck in Switzerland.

Updated:
Did you really expect anything but overt negativity from the Dolan's paper after a big night from Tavares and some very good play that has draw praise from opposing players around the NHL?

You think this paper is in business to hype the New York Islanders or credit DiPietro for solid play, it's not happening.

It was a hachet job, designed to be as negative as possible, surprised Baumbach did not lobby for more Al Arbour wins to be taken away.

The good news was Dolan's spin-doctors had nothing new from Wang's December interview, this article was growing stale sitting around waiting for release, so why not pick a night after a good win/Tavares hat-trick to drive away fans?

No arena in the NHL is older than Msg, which is a dump, you think Dolan's paper will ever write that or about the thousands of empty seats at Knick/Ranger games from their mediocre/poor teams?



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Islander News Articles 3/1:

Newsday: Greg Logan's game article claims the source close to Guerin reported him being scratched was " precautionary" and will make his decision in the morning about agreeing to a trade.

Head coach Scott Gordon comments, who Mr Logan claims Guerin has been " at odds with much of this season " discussed how he will fill the possible leadership void as he addressed some of his younger players.

Newsday: Greg Logan in Islanders Newsday blog after Tsn report (8:45pm) writes according to a source close to Bill Guerin the team has a deal in place pending his approval with an announcement either late Saturday but likely Sunday.

Bad News is Mr Logan reports Guerin's situation has been exacerbated by what he writes is a rocky relationship with coach Scott Gordon, some details of which will appear in a story in Sunday's Newsday about tensions between several veteran players and the rookie head coach.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
So much for enjoying another shutout win.

How come Mr Logan simply does not give us all the details now or does it have to be dragged out over weeks/months to create as much negative perception as possible?

Seems like the only time the club gets a special story in Newsday is when it's along these lines or it's obvious bad news. The good news kind of just fades away without much followup.

I'm not in the room, obviously it's been a tough year and of course there are going to be problems especially with a rookie head coach. Every time the Islanders played Atlanta, John Anderson was seemingly blasting his players.

Is this the same Bill Guerin who has praised Scott Gordon on several occasions in papers outside Newsday around North America (with Doug Weight) and went out of their way to do so?

Again, I'm not in the room so I do not know.

I hate to write it but this has to be somewhat of a cross-roads again for Mr Botta who was the one who broke the story on Nolan-Snow last year at a time he went from team official to independent blogger. Will he dish the dirt or confirm where Greg Logan is going with this and if he knew it why did he not report it already?

Why did Mr Logan wait for Guerin's likely departure unless the captain wanted it that way?

I tend to think unless it's well outside the norm these things should be kept in house for all teams. No team in hockey (or any sport) has everyone happy with their coach/manager and when you are in 30th place with four hundred man games lost nothing can be better than ok on the best of days.

This should really help free agency, Snow's status as gm and the Lighthouse.

The other team Newsday covers does not report on their dirt, regardless of whether the coach is fired or the players do not like the coach or one another. Seems like things are done differently with the Islanders in the reporting beyond the lack of updates.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann gives his view of Mr Wang's long interview with the paper on Friday with several of his comments repeated.

Newsday: Mark Herrmann has a few words from Msg on Bill Guerin sitting out as apparently the Cablevision owned club again will receive the bulk of Newsday coverage.

Updated 12:00am:
Tsn.ca: Darren Dreger reports the Boston Bruins are not the team involved in a trade for Guerin and after referencing Mr Botta's earlier report
notes sources close to the veteran forward say he has not yet been asked to waive it and that sources tell TSN that Guerin has been told he likely will not learn which team has expressed interest until the morning, as the Islanders work on finalizing a deal.

NY Post: Dan Martin's coverage of the Islanders win has virtually nothing on the game besides a brief recap with all coverage centered around Bill Guerin. Kyle Okposo's comments about the current captain, calling him " tremendous " as he was asked about the captaincy role for himself in his future.

Daily News: Peter Botte's limited space gave us one paragraph on the game with no quotes from coach or players with all Guerin/other trade speculation.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sure would be nice to get an AP article link with that because Danis, Bergenheim and the team deserve some coverage on the win. When they play road games (or ex-owners go to prison) they get a sports ticker recap where more space is provided than this which is beyond the writer but should be able to manage his game space better.

Buffalo News: John Vogl already has a game article and reaction from the players with head coach Lindy Ruff.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Good stuff from a paper that used to post it's articles by noon the next day after most games.

Los Angeles Times: Helene Elliott reports a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Scott Niedermayer has been told he won't be moved before Wednesday's noon PST trade deadline despite his UFA status while Espn's Pierre LeBrun's speculates on this and other possible trades.

CP: Reports Philadelphia has cleared enough cap space to finally add Daniel Briere to it's lineup.

Cbc.com: Reports Derek Boogaard of the Minnesota Wild was suspened for five games after an elbow to the head of Brandon Prust in the head with just over one minute left in Minnesota's 4-1 loss on Friday night.

AHL.com: Reports Bridgeport despite Andrew McDonald's callup won a big game Saturday against WBS Pens 3-2 at Harbor Yard with Nate Lawson in goal.

Mitch Fritz had a five minute major in this game so it could result in an AHL suspension for any possible Islander recalls.

1. WBS Pesonen, (18) (Goligoski, Letestu), 16:41
2. BRI McLean, (15) (Joensuu, Kohn), 16:20
3. BRI Iggulden, (22) (Joensuu), 1:44
3. BRI Kohn, (3) (Haley, Bentivoglio), 2:47
3. WBS Engelland, (2) (Goligoski, Letestu), 12:24 (PP)

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has comments from Dustin Kohn and Nate Lawson on Bridgeport's win which moved them into second place in the Eastern Division with blog entries here.

Bridgeport plays the back end of this home and home at WBS Sunday at 5pm.

Times Leader: Has Pens coverage on their loss.

New York 2, Buffalo 0

NHL.com: Recaps New York's 2-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres Saturday.

New York wins season series 2-1-1.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Sean Bergenheim's first career two goal game.
Yann Danis second shutout in seven days.

Before the game I wrote we'll see how bad the Buffalo Sabres want to stay together.

For the better part of fifty five minutes (aside from a few odd minutes) they were outworked by the Islanders and did not compete very hard for second chances nor did they generate a lot of breaks for themselves despite their injuries.

Only area Buffalo showed up was in the scrum department after whistles which we saw a lot in the October blowout but not as much in the games at Buffalo. Isles held their own with no fights but like most games are simply not as big as the Sabres with Comeau vs Paul Gaustad.

Not even Jochen Hecht could find a way he seemingly makes his living creating plays for goals against the New York Islanders.

Not a great start for the Islanders either with some choppy play, Bergenheim was the most visible again and seemed to look good whether he was on a line with Hilbert, Sim or whoever. He fell to strip the puck on the 2-0 goal off a nice feed from Nielsen.

Andrew MacDonald a good early shot but for the most part Islanders were chasing the play with Danis playing very well. Jackman had a great chance shorthanded but was robbed by Lalime.

Okposo, Comeau, Bailey again very quiet until that powerplay with six minutes left in the second where they did not score but worked the puck well in the Buffalo zone.

I know Okposo was in on Bergenheim's goal but again Okposo, Comeau and Bailey just seem like their game is more east-west than north-south. Okposo for a right wing seems to be favoring making plays off left wing. Comeau is either struggling or that is throwing his game off while Bailey drifts around the perimeter or screens the goalie from a distance and does not do much else or at best is spotty in games.

Hilbert and Sim again involved and active, Martinek took a big clean hit, Joe Callahan took off the gloves but did not fight. Martinek threw a solid elbow for a penalty, Buffalo hit a post but again had been a play/pass short without much of a second effort.

Callahan, MacDonald solid on defense with a nice play on Jason Pominville in the third, Hillen again is noticeable with his offensive play.

Mark Streit playing twenty nine minutes is too much for a team in this spot.

Danis seems to be in a zone where he seeing the puck very well or getting the bounces.

Third period Islanders could not put them away with powerplay nor could Sabres do a lot with their powerplay. Some good defense but not great execution for the most part from either side in that department.

Buffalo had a little more urgency in the final few minutes but Bergenheim made a play that created the 2-0 goal and that was the hockey game.

Next up the return of Colorado's leading scorer Ryan Smyth (pending trade) and a club playing like a fifteenth place team in the Colorado Avalanche on a four game losing streak against the Eastern Conference.

Buffalo at New York 7pm Msg+

Updated Player Pos Injury Expected Return
02/05/09 Maxim Afinogenov RW Groin IR. Out indefinitely
02/22/09 Ryan Miller G Ankle Out indefinitely
02/26/09 Jaroslav Spacek D Upper Questionable for Feb. 28 at N.Y.
02/27/09 Thomas Vanek LW Face IR. Might return March 4 vs. Montreal

02/26/2009 BUF 1 @ CAR 2
02/24/2009 ANA 3 @ BUF 2
02/21/2009 NYR 2 @ BUF 4
02/19/2009 BUF 3 @ PHI 6
02/17/2009 BUF 4 @ TOR 1

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Buffalo is playing win one/lose one hockey but are right in the mix for the final spot and this being their last game before the trade deadline should play their best if they want to stay together.

For the most part the Sabres are scoring their three-four goals a game which will make it tough on the Islanders unless they start getting some balanced scoring with the kid lines and Hunter due for a few goals and Streit the only defender finishing combined with the powerplay needing to score a few goals.

Patrick Lalime started the previous Coliseum game and is the expected starter for this game. Only Scott Gordon knows who will be his starter, if a rotation I guess it's Yann Danis turn.

Islanders had their worst game of the year in what seems another season last time Sabres came to New York losing 7-1 but went 1-0-1 in Buffalo since.

With Vanek out the scoring pressure goes up for Derek Roy, Pominville, Stafford and Kotalik. Tim Connolly has had another year of more time injured than playing but obviously is talented despite Mike Milbury who drafted him criticizing him a short time ago. The pressure should be on Connolly.

For the Islanders without Witt and perhaps Radek Martinek a defenseman or two Bridgeport callups likely becomes at least three and maybe four AHL defenders in the lineup.

Bridgeport played the same backline against Philadelphia Friday:
Lee-Gleed
Fraser-Wotton
Kohn-MacDonald

Utah has made no callups at this time and Bridgeport has games Saturday and Sunday.

Will add in updates/when I can.

May not have a game review until Sunday.

Islander News Articles 2/28

Newsday: Greg Logan in the Islanders Newsday blog has the transcript of Islanders owner Charles Wang's interview who invited Newsday sports editor Hank Winnicki, news side reporter Eden Laikin, Jim Baumbach, Mark Herrmann and himself to discuss the Lighthouse Project in a wide-ranging interview earlier Friday. According to Mr Logan in attendance were Michael Picker, president of the Lighthouse Development Group, Lighthouse public relations head Paul Lancey and Islanders general manager Garth Snow.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Transcript is too long but this is the version with Mr Wang's direct comments.

Whatever articles with writer opinion beyond this I will post below it but the transcript really is the entire ballgame where Wang-Picker answered anything I could think about the team, this process and the Lighthouse project.

You can essentially bookmark this as the blueprint for whatever happens ahead, seems Mr Wang was completely transparent in every area and did an excellent job.

If I read things correctly the Smg lease will be bought out at some point in the future if the project does move forward.

Newsday: Mr Logan's interpretation of Charles Wang comments.

Newsday: Mr Logan's other article is mostly a repeat of his blog entry on Brendan Witt's suspension with general manager Garth Snow's comments. Nothing from Witt about being suspended at this time, just mostly last night's comments from the NY Post.

NY Post: Dan Martin's Saturday article has Witt's comments from the postgame and added Witt will not appeal the decision with Garth Snow's statement.

Globe & Mail/CP: Report goaltender Rick DiPietro and Andy Sutton of the Islanders will be part of the committee to name a replace for Eric Lindros as NHLPA Ombudsmen this summer as Buzz Hargrove was named to the spot on an interim basis Friday according to Tsn.ca.

Buffalo News: Has coverage from Bucky Gleason & Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo Sabres coming off their shootout loss to Carolina Thursday, they are without goaltender Ryan Miller after being injured last weekend.

Sporting News: Ray Slover has a few words on Bill Guerin waiving his NTC and trade deadline speculation on the Islanders.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Mr Slover needed to do a better job here and point out what Mr Botta/Tsn included which was he would agree " under the right circumstances " which was left out of his commentary.

These things have to be including because it's simply misleading otherwise.

Sportsnet did an even sloppier job Friday without including that part and went a step further writing Guerin would only accept a trade to an Eastern Conference team here with a nice picture of Doug Weight next to the article which Guerin, Snow or the club did not have a single quote about.

This is how people read information and by the time it reaches outsides sources it is so out of context it's essentially worthless.

Vancouver Sun: Brad Ziemer reports with Vancouver claiming defenseman Ossi Vaananen from the Philadelphia Flyers, the Canuscks now have eight defenders and one coming off injured reserve with depth in the AHL.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Going to be interesting to see what Garth Snow does with his defense. Not making a move to claim Vaananen leads me to believe Brendan Witt is in his future plans unless a trade brings back a defender, no one is talking about Radek Martinek's status for Saturday.

Windsor Star: Reports former Windsor Spitfire Josh Bailey is among 28 players from 25 different National Hockey League teams who will be participating in the Donation For Minutes Weekend to raise funds for the international humanitarian organization Right To Play, which provides facilities, equipment and training for coaches in 23 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.

Each participant is donating funds based on minutes played and honouring a coach or role model that impacted their life as part of the weekend celebration.

Bailey, who will donate based on the minutes he plays in Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, has designated former Spitfires captain Mickey Renaud, who died last year, as his role model.

Windsor Star: Jim Parker has Spitfire gm Bob Boughner's comments there is zero chance Josh Bailey will be sent to Windsor to play in their upcoming playoffs before Wednesday's deadline and has had no recent contact with the Islanders. The article notes even a long playoff run for Windsor would not go very far beyond the end of the Islanders season for Bailey who is not AHL eligible for Bridgeport's playoffs.

The article also note The New York Islanders appear ready to give Barrie Colts enforcer Peter Stevens a pro chance and have asked the six-foot-three, 219-pound Stevens to join the East Coast Hockey League's Utah Grizzlies once Barrie's season is done which the Times-Herald Record confirmed with his comments a few day ago
here.

Barrie Examiner has a profile article on Stevens earlier this month here.

AHL.com: Recaps what is likely Bridgeport's final visit to Philadelphia in a 4-1 Sound Tiger win in Peter Mannino's return in goal.

1. BRI Joensuu, (16) (Iggulden, Colliton), 7:49
2. BRI Bentivoglio, (7) (Wotton, Fraser), 5:22
2. PHI Laliberte, (17) (Matsumoto, Curry), 7:50 (PP)
2. BRI Haley, (2) (Bentivoglio, Haskins), 9:05
3. BRI Walter, (15) (Joensuu), 15:29

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio's game coverage with comments from head coach Jack Capuano and Michael Haley's line that keyed the win with Saturday's preview report no one at this time has been recalled for Brendan Witt (and maybe Radek Martinek) who left Thursday's game with blog entries on the win here.

Philadelphia Inq/Daily News: Combined Phantoms page with game coverage.

Islander News Articles 12/28

Will add to this blog entry tomorrow morning with more articles as available.

Newsday: Greg Logan's early recap credited the teams strong defensive play and pointed out they played a part of the second shorthanded for over five minutes but only trailed by one entering the third period.

Head coach Scott Gordon, Mike Comrie, Kyle Okposo discussed the Islanders effort in coming back to tie the game.

Newsday: Mr Logan's second article was mostly a repeat of his blog on Bill Guerin in the future along with Scott Gordon's comments about Rick DiPietro likely being sore but he had not spoken with him. Mr Logan speculated on a possible trade to Columbus for Weight and reported the Blue Jackets had a scout in Buffalo.

Star Tribune: Michael Russo wrote Saturday afternoon with Derick Brassard out for the season in Columbus because of a shoulder injury, the Blue Jackets are reportedly inquiring about the Islanders' Doug Weight.

That rumor seems to be what was floated in the Columbus Dispatch blog Saturday here in sports columnist Michael Arace's shared blog.

Columbus Dispatch: Tom Reed reported the Dispatch has learned the Jackets have been in trade talks with six or seven teams. Gm Howson would not confirm a total.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
We'll see when Weight gets close to returning if anything comes of this but it's interesting. Islanders put a lot of effort into Weight's countdown only two points short but if Garth Snow feels this improves his club it's something he has to do even if Bill Guerin is not thrilled.

I do not think Kyle Okposo was in his spot on the powerplay the way you would spot someone when there is an injury.

It has to be noted Columbus also has a forward Garth Snow tried to trade for last spring in Kristian Huselius here who has a club-worst minus-9 rating (ten goals) and fewer assists (11) than defenseman Mike Commodore (13).

Kristian Huselius is signed to a four-year, $19- million contract.

Hilbert is a left wing who is out, Sim cleared waivers but Trevor Smith is also a left wing. Columbus would have to take back some salary to make this work.

Buffalo News: Has John Vogl's coverage.

AHL.com: Reports the Sound Tigers lost 5-4 at WBS Pens Saturday. Peter Mannino had nineteen saves in net.

1. BRI Smith, (17) (Skinner, McLean), 5:54 (PP)
1. WBS Taffe, (15) (Stone, D'Aversa), 6:45
1. BRI Skinner, (1) (Hillen, Walter), 9:03 (PP)
1. WBS Taffe, (16) (Engelland, Stone), 19:04
2. BRI Smith, (18) (Iggulden, McLean), 19:10 (PP)
3. WBS Johnson, (2) (Letestu, Cashman), 2:25
3. WBS Minard, (23) (Stone, Taffe), 2:48
3. BRI Pitton, (1) (Hillen, Haskins), 11:23 (SH)
3. WBS Minard, (24) (Taffe, Pesonen), 11:29 (PP)

Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio has the recap of Bridgeport's 5-4 regulation loss to WBS Pens on Saturday with comments from head coach Jack Capuano, who did not feel his team created enough but credited his goaltender. Brett Skinner and Trevor Smith also talk about a game Bridgeport was outscored 4-0 at even strength but had three on the powerplay.

A separate feature was done on local prospect Jaime Sifers of the Toronto Maple Leafs by Mr Fornabaio here.

Wilkes-Barre Times Leader: Covers the Penguins along with Citizens Voice here.

Bridgeport is off until next Friday.

Buffalo 4, New York 3 Shootout

Sports Network & Associated Press: Has the recap of New York's 4-3 shootout loss to Buffalo.


NYI Fan Central Comments:
It did not make up for Satan not finishing in game five of the playoffs in the final seconds to force overtime but that was one heck of a great ending to regulation for the Islanders tonight.

Heck of a play to feed Campoli who made a big time shot.

They did not win the shootout, but they sure did not quit.

This one feels like a win, it's the kind of regulation point they did not get all season to force overtime.

Joey MacDonald was outstanding all night again, he stole the point early with a few great saves on his end, especially early and on one great chance in the third on a full windup shot.

The Islanders had problems with the Sabres speed.

It took about half a game for the Islanders to get going on the offense, a lot of the night they were outnumbered in all three zones but when things starting clicking the chances started coming.

Those chances came from a lot of players too.

Good rush by Meyer, pressure and chances with the Sabres scrambling at times, Tambellini made a great play to start the cycle for his goal before Streit found him with an open net for the Islanders first goal. He also drove the net a few other times. Guerin again had a very big game and took the puck at the Buffalo net with his chances.

Islanders drew some powerplays by working through checks and keeping the legs moving.

You can see how happy Guerin was for Tambellini by his reaction and it was the same the night before with Tambellini thrilled for Guerin. Bailey for a quiet game again made plays to generate chances.

Okposo should be using that big shot every game and at times looked dominating, I'm not sure he belongs on the off-wing powerplay on point.

Comeau when he was not watching the powerplay again looked very good and should be on every powerplay instead of Sim. Colliton for his minutes was very strong on the puck and almost won it in overtime, I wonder what he would do with some skill next to him besides Jackman?

Richard Park gave all he had, not going to finish this often. He had the first quality chances at Miller and one in overtime.

Bergenheim is going to play his way into a benching with these penalties, first one that led to the five on three, then the one in overtime? For all his skating and hard work he is not learning from these mistakes. Almost felt like the Islanders were going to win in overtime before his penalty.

Witt was amazing at the end of that overtime penalty when Colliton and Streit were exhausted and Buffalo countered with a two on one, he spread all out for the block and then made a clear after being out almost the entire penalty kill.

I know Comrie scored later but he admired his nice hit on MacArthur while he got up, drove the net and scored the 3-1 goal that should have finished the game. No excuse for that kind of play despite his line with Comeau and Okposo again having a strong effort.

It would not be an Islander-Buffalo Sabre game if Jochen Hecht did not score his obligatory goal or make his play to lead to a goal. Kennedy looked good and was very visible for Buffalo. I'll take Maxim Afinogenov's speed/skill in this lineup any day if Garth Snow wants to sign him this summer.

In terms of the playoff race it's a point they had to have against a team they beat in Buffalo already however in terms of how they played most of the second half of the game it was a strong effort.

Would love to see this game a year from now with a few players a year older for the Islanders.

Howie Rose sounded like a man who would rather be elsewhere or had a plane waiting, don't let us keep you.