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It's finally over after tonight. Where do we go from here? After the storm is clear?

GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GAME #82: NYI (33-37-11) at BUF (21-51-9) – SUN APR 13 – 5:00 PM EDT – MSG-B, BELL TV – WGR-550 BUFFALO SABRES Final Lineup 82 Marcus Foligno – 63 Tyler Ennis – 21 Drew Stafford ("A") 19 Cody Hodgson – 28 Zemgus Girgensons ("A") – 17 Torrey Mitchell 88 Cory Conacher – 23 Ville Leino – 44 Nicolas Deslauriers 37 Matt Ellis – 24 Zenon Konopka – 32 John Scott X: 27 Matt D’Agostini (LBI), 65 Brian Flynn (LBI), 80 Chris Stewart (ankle) 20 Henrik Tallinder ("A") – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 6 Mike Weber – 4 Jamie McBain 29 Jake McCabe – 3 Mark Pysyk X: 5 Chad Ruhwedel (concussion) 10 Christian Ehrhoff (concussion), 52 Alexander Sulzer (LBI), 57 Tyler Myers (LBI) 49 Connor Knapp 35 Andrey Makarov X: 1 Jhonas Enroth (LBI), 31 Matt Hackett (LBI), 34 Michal Neuvirth (LBI), 50 Nathan Lieuwen (concussion) Lineup News & Notes G Jhonas Enroth, D Chad Ruhwedel, F Ville Leino, F Zenon Konopka, G Michal Neuvirth, G Nathan Lieuwen, D Alex Sulzer, and D Tyler Myers were scratches in Saturday's 4-1 loss at Boston. Weekly Transactions 04/08: Recalled D Mark Pysyk and G Andrey Makarov from Rochester (AHL); Assigned F Luke Adam to Rochester (AHL). 04/09: Assigned F Nicolas Deslauriers and F Johan Larsson to Rochester (AHL). 04/10: Assigned D Mark Pysyk to Rochester (AHL). 04/11: Assigned G Andrey Makarov to Rochester (AHL); Recalled G Connor Knapp from Rochester (AHL). 04/13: Recalled (emergency basis) D Mark Pysyk, F Nicolas Deslauriers, and G Andrey Makarov from Rochester (AHL). According to the Stats In the last 10 games, the Sabres have gone 1-8-1. Drew Stafford has three points (1G/2A) in his past three games. NEW YORK ISLANDERS Final Lineup 27 Anders Lee – 51 Frans Nielsen ("A") – 12 Josh Bailey 56 John Persson – 29 Brock Nelson – 18 Ryan Strome 17 Matt Martin – 53 Casey Cizikas – 13 Colin McDonald 59 Brett Gallant – 43 Mike Halmo – 49 Justin Johnson X: 15 Cal Clutterbuck (UBI), 21 Kyle Okposo (LBI), 28 Johan Sundstrom (UBI), 36 Eric Boulton, 40 Michael Grabner (UBI) 14 Thomas Hickey – 3 Travis Hamonic ("A") 24 Kevin Czuczman – 42 Scott Mayfield 46 Matt Donovan – 7 Matt Carkner ("A") X: 4 Radek Martinek, 11 Lubomir Visnovsky (concussion), 37 Brian Strait (hand), 44 Calvin de Haan (LBI) 45 Anders Nilsson 20 Evgeni Nabokov Lineup News & Notes New York scratched D Radek Martinek, D Lubomir Visnovsky, F Cal Clutterbuck, F Kyle Okposo, C Johan Sundstrom, F Eric Boulton, D Brian Strait, F Michael Grabner, and D Calvin de Haan in Friday's 3-2 SO win at New Jersey. C John Tavares (knee) is on IR. Weekly Transactions 04/07: Returned F Johan Sundstrom to Bridgeport (AHL); Recalled F Brett Gallant (emergency basis) from Bridgeport (AHL). 04/09: Recalled F Johan Sundstrom (emergency basis) from Bridgeport (AHL). 04/11: Recalled F Justin Johnson (emergency basis) from Bridgeport (AHL). According to the Stats In the Last 10 games, New York has gone 6-2-2. Ryan Strome has two goals in his past two games PREGAME LINKS 04/12 – GAME RECAP: SABRES LOSE 5 PLAYERS TO INJURY; BRUINS WIN PRESIDENTS' TROPHY (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 04/11 – GAME RECAP: Bailey and Strome's spin-o-ramas lead Isles to shootout win (Cory Wright – Islanders.com) 04/12 – GAME PREVIEW: Sabres, Islanders try to end on positive note (Brian Hunter – NHL.com) 04/12 – No doubt about it, the Sabres are cursed (Kevin Oklobzija – democratandchronicle.com) 04/12 – Season filled with turmoil about to end for reeling Sabres (Bill Hoppe – Olean Times Herald) 04/13 – Makarov, Pysyk and ???? are Sabres bound from Amerks (Kevin Oklobzija – democratandchronicle.com) 04/13 – Game Preview: Islanders at Sabres (Sarah Holzberg – Islanders.com) 04/13 – NEWS: SABRES RECALL TRIO FROM ROCHESTER (Sabres.com) 04/13 – Game Preview: 4/13/14 at New York Islanders (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 04/13 – Sabres vs Islanders Game Notes PDF (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 04/13 – Press Clips: 4/13/14 at New York Islanders (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 04/13 – Sabres' Goalie Connor Knapp to make first NHL start (Bill Hoppe – Olean Times Herald) 04/13 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media prior to Sunday's game against the Islanders at First Niagara Center <4:33> POSTGAME LINKS 04/13 – Sabres PR Post-Game Report: 4/13 vs. NYI (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 04/13 – GAME RECAP: SABRES FALL IN SHOOTOUT TO WRAP UP SEASON (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 04/13 – Dan Dunleavy recap the Sabres 4-3 SO loss to the Islanders. <5:37> 04/13 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 SO loss to the Islanders. <3:46> 04/13 – Marcus Foligno speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 SO loss to the Islanders. <1:55> 04/13 – Jake McCabe speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 SO loss to the Islanders. <1:29> 04/13 – Nicolas Deslauriers speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-3 SO loss to the Islanders. <0:52> 04/13 – Connor Knapp speaks with Brian Duff following the Sabres 4-3 SO loss to the Islanders. <1:27> 04/13 – Mike Robitaille concludes his tenure as a Buffalo Sabres broadcaster. <10:06>

4-6-1is not the start anyone had hoped for. Time to see if this team is capable of carrying over the momentum of a last second goal and OT win.

I thought this deserved its own topic. We have trusted one of our number 1 picks to the loving hands of Islanders GM Garth Snow. In Garth I have a great amount of trust. Just last year he won Buffalo's executive of the year award for doing the most to help the Buffalo Sabres. We count on him still. Not since the days of Billy Smith have we had a better reason to wish rotten luck, hard cheese, and misfortune upon the prospects of the Islanders. Our new second favorite team is any team playing the Islanders in 2014-15. So far the Islanders are not looking completely incompetent up front.....their blue-line is another story. Offseason moves to date: Mikhail Graboski - 1/2 point a game centerman via Washington Nikolai Kulemin - Once 30 goal scorer in 2010-11, he has had just 30 goals since. Via Toronto TJ Brennan - Well known to Rochester fans. Cannon shot. AHL savant. Unproven NHL talent Halak - Via - St. Louis - via Buffalo. Cody Conacher - Still young, but career sputtering since his rookie campaign. The Isles Top 6 include: Tavares, Neilson, Okposo, all who can put up points. The Isles blueline is not very deep: Visnovsky, Hickey, Harmonic, Carkner Youngsters Ryan Strome, and Griffin Reinhart could emerge this year. Although the Isles have some talent, lack of depth at every position threatens the success of their season. I think following the Islanders could be one thing that takes some of the sting out of following the NHL next season from a Buffalo perspective. So opening volley. Which teams today are the Islanders better than? Looking at rosters, I have this optimistic assessment: I think they are better than only Carolina, Buffalo, Edmonton, and Florida with certainty, and maybe tie with Ottawa and Winnipeg. So in Wangs world style, we say: Tank on, Garth, Tank on, Wang.

GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GAME #67: BUF (19-39-8) at NYI (25-34-9) – SAT MAR 15 – 7:00 PM EDT – MSG-B – WGR-550 BUFFALO SABRES Final Lineup 88 Cory Conacher – 63 Tyler Ennis – 21 Drew Stafford ("A") 82 Marcus Foligno – 19 Cody Hodgson – 27 Matt D’Agostini 44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 23 Ville Leino – 65 Brian Flynn 32 John Scott – 24 Zenon Konopka – 37 Matt Ellis X: 28 Zemgus Girgensons (LBI), 80 Chris Stewart (ankle), 17 Torrey Mitchell (foot) 10 Christian Ehrhoff ("A") – 5 Chad Ruhwedel 20 Henrik Tallinder ("A") – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen 6 Mike Weber – 4 Jamie McBain X: 52 Alexander Sulzer (LBI), 57 Tyler Myers (UBI) 1 Jhonas Enroth 34 Michal Neuvirth Lineup News & Notes F Zemgus Girgensons (LBI), F Chris Stewart (LBI), F 17 Torrey Mitchell (LBI), and D Chad Ruhwedel were scratches in Thursday's 4-2 loss at Carolina. Weekly Transactions 03/13: Assigned D Chad Ruhwedel to Rochester (AHL); Recalled D Chad Ruhwedel from Rochester (AHL). 03/15: Recalled D Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester (AHL). According to the Stats In the last 10 games, Buffalo has gone 4-6-0. Tyler Ennis had a penalty-shot goal against Carolina and has points in three straight games. NEW YORK ISLANDERS Final Lineup 27 Anders Lee – 51 Frans Nielsen ("A") – 21 Kyle Okposo ("A") 12 Josh Bailey – 29 Brock Nelson – 15 Cal Clutterbuck 17 Matt Martin – 18 Ryan Strome – 13 Colin McDonald 43 Mike Halmo – 53 Casey Cizikas – 28 Johan Sundstrom X: 36 Eric Boulton (hand), 40 Michael Grabner (concussion) 44 Calvin de Haan – 3 Travis Hamonic ("A") 14 Thomas Hickey – 11 Lubomir Visnovsky 37 Brian Strait – 7 Matt Carkner X: Radek Martinek, 46 Matt Donovan, 24 Kevin Czuczman 45 Anders Nilsson 20 Evgeni Nabokov Lineup News & Notes New York scratched F 36 Eric Boulton, F Michael Grabner, D Radek Martinek, D Matt Carkner, and D Kevin Czuczman in Friday's 4-3 loss vs San Jose. C John Tavares (knee) is on IR. Weekly Transactions 03/11: Agreed to terms with D Kevin Czuczman on a two-year, entry-level deal. 03/13: Recalled F Johan Sundstrom (emergency basis) from Bridgeport (AHL). According to the Stats In the Last 10 games, New York has gone 3-6-1. Kyle Okposo has 5A in New York's past two games and has career-highs with 26 goals and 67 points. PREGAME LINKS 03/14 – GAME RECAP: NEUVIRTH STOPS CAREER-HIGH 51 SHOTS IN LOSS (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 03/14 – GAME RECAP: Sharks 4, Islanders 3 (Cory Wright – Islanders.com) 03/15 – Islanders, Sabres face off for first time in five months (John Kreiser – NHL.com) 03/15 – Game Preview: Islanders vs. Sabres (Cory Wright – Islanders.com) 03/14 – Game Preview: 3/15/14 at NY Islanders (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/15 – Sabres at Islanders Game Notes PDF (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/15 – Press Clips: 3/15/14 at New York Islanders (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/15 – SABRES RECALL RISTOLAINEN (Ian Ott – Sabres PR) 03/15 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media following Saturday's morning skate at Nassau Coliseum. <5:07> 03/15 – News: Morning Skate Updates 3/15/14 (Cory Wright – Islanders.com) 03/15 – Dan Dunleavy previews Saturday night's game against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. <2:52> 03/15 – Islanders TV Previews tonights matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. <3:43> 03/15 – Henrik Tallinder speaks with the media following Saturday's morning skate at Nassau Coliseum. <2:56> 03/15 – Drew Stafford speaks with the media following Saturday's morning skate at Nassau Coliseum. <1:46> 03/15 – Rasmus Ristolainen speaks with the media following Saturday's morning skate at Nassau Coliseum. <2:28> 03/15 – Joe Sacco speaks with Dan Dunleavy prior to Saturday night's game against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. <1:44> 03/15 – THE MORNING SKATE: RISTOLAINEN RECALLED TO PLAY FOR INJURED MYERS (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) POSTGAME LINKS 03/15 – NHL POST-GAME NEWSLETTER: Buffalo Sabres @ New York Islanders (NHL.com) 03/16 – GAME RECAP: SABRES UNABLE TO GENERATE OFFENSE ON LONG ISLAND (Chris Ryndak – Sabres.com) 03/15 – Brian Duff and Dan Dunleavy recap the Sabres 4-1 loss to the Islanders. <4:11> 03/15 – Ted Nolan speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-1 loss to the Islanders. <2:26> 03/15 – Christian Ehrhoff speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-1 loss to the Islanders. <1:36> 03/15 – Rasmus Ristolainen speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-1 loss to the Islanders. <0:53> 03/15 – Jhonas Enroth speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-1 loss to the Islanders. <1:48> 03/15 – Tyler Ennis speaks with the media following the Sabres 4-1 loss to the Islanders. <1:18>

The Sabres are starting to look like they can play, but they're still at the bottom of the standings... well, except for the Islanders, the only team behind us in the conference. We should be able to win this game, and we HAVE to win this game if we have any designs on climbing into the playoff race. The Sabres "problem" now is that players are getting healthy and DD needs to figure out who plays where, and who sits. For instance, Daily Face Off shows the roster below, but that doesn't take into account that both Fedun and Bogo fully participated in practice Thursday. Can either of them play? If they do, who sits? If Bogo's ready, Falk sits I think, but if Fedun is ready, does he play? Has he shown enough to give Franson or Gorges a rest (even if only for a game or so)? Tune in closer to game time to see what the roster really looks like. Also of note, Kaner is still on the 4th line. The way DD rolls his lines one or two players at a time, that may give him some ice time with the first line, as happened when he scored his third period goal Tuesday. Will that be enough to stoke is apparently fragile ego (come on, man, smile when you score)? Well, maybe if he scores again... The Isles are coming off a 5-4 loss to Chicago Thursday night. Hopefully the Sabres can take advantage of their defense and put up a bunch of goals again. If the Sabres can start hard and keep the pedal to the metal, the Islanders should be tired by the third, playing their second game is as many nights. Tavares continues to impress, but deeper into the lineup the talent isn't there. All three of these players are in the Sabres organization now- Ullmark, Gus and Okposo :)