thesportsbuff Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 NY Islanders @ Buffalo Sabres, 3:00 PM EST We all know about the Islanders situation in goal with DiPietro down, Roloson gone, Nabakov refusing to report, some rookie down for the year and another rookie struggling to get his feet wet. I couldn't tell you who's going to be in goal for them tonight (WGR Can: Mikko Koskinen, who has started the last three games, will go again). However, I can tell you that the Islanders will be playing without Trevor Gillies and Matt Martin, who were suspended for their roles in Friday's brawl vs Pittsburgh. One thing to keep in mind is that despite their issues in goal, the Islanders put up a 9-spot on Pittsburgh and have won three of their last five games, so let's not take them lightly like we did in January. Carolina and Atlanta square off at 5PM EST. The winner of that game will have 62 points on the season and move into (or remain in) 8th place, though Carolina will still have a game in hand over Atlanta. Buffalo, on the other hand, would total 59 points on the year if they can manage to beat the Islanders today. That puts them three points behind, with three and four games in hand on Atlanta and Carolina, respectively. So we can't really gain much ground today, so a win is important just to keep pace. Some news from WGR: "Steve Montador passed his Neuro-Psych test and practiced on a non contact basis. Ruff said he'll dress an extra forward for warm up, but Pat Kaleta practiced with Cody McCormick and Nathan Gerbe while Paul Byron worked into Tim Connolly's line. Ruff pretty much indicated Kaleta will return after missing six games." Carolina's Next 5 Games: @ Atlanta Today @ NJ on Wednesday vs Philly on Friday vs New Jersey on Saturday vs NY Rangers on Tuesday Buffalo's Next 5 Games: vs NY Islanders Today @ Montreal on Tuesday vs Toronto on Wednesday vs St. Louis on Friday vs Washington on Sunday Atlanta's Next 5 Games: vs Carolina Today @ Phoenix on Thursday @ Edmonton on Saturday @ Buffalo on Wednesday vs Florida on Friday LET'S GO BUFFALO
wjag Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Glad this is the last one against the Isles...
BeeWhy5 Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 We've knocked out that whole winning 3 games in a row thing. Now to start knocking out the "beat the teams you're supposed to beat" thing. I expect the boys to be flying out of the gate with a few days rest. Important win heading into a week with 4 games in 6 days. Handle business! LETS GO BUFFALO!!!
ROC Sabres Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Looks like a decent schedule for us. Hopefully Carolina eats their next 4 games. Just as long as the first game doesn't go to OT. I'd be happy to see the sabres get 7 out of the next 10 points. This SHOULD be the time we jump Atlanta and hopefully Carolina too. Go Sabres.
SwampD Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Jack needs to start all GDTs. With no more football on, it's nice to have a Sunday afternoon game to watch.
carpandean Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Will be watching this one from the good seats (the kind where you watch through the glass if they're on your side of the ice.) Hopefully, they'll put on a good show!
Iron Crotch Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 So with Kaleta back, what are the lines for today? Who sits? Wouldn't it be Byron?
CallawaySabres Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Grab two today and at least get Montreal to OT on Tuesday. I don't feel too good about Tuesday so today is a must for both points.
LaLaLaFontaine Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Ok , we beat he Islanders because they are tired after the battle against Pittsburgh andcwe are on a run. Go Sabres
JujuFish Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Time to hit .500 winning percentage. If they're going to be a playoff team, they need to take care of business today. I'm interested in seeing how the Islanders perform after that Pens match. On a side note, if Buffalo wins and the Rangers lose, Buffalo moves up to 7th in points percentage.
deluca67 Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Time to hit .500 winning percentage. If they're going to be a playoff team, they need to take care of business today. I'm interested in seeing how the Islanders perform after that Pens match. On a side note, if Buffalo wins and the Rangers lose, Buffalo moves up to 7th in points percentage. I have to ask this. Considering the schedule and the games in hand, where is all the optimism in regards to the division lead? It's not out reach at their current pace? Why focus on 7th and 8th? Win the division you jump to third with home ice in the first round? Possible against a weakened Penguins team or a Tampa team with poor goaltending.
BuffaloFansR_Crazy Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 I couldn't believe it when Carolina was down 3-1 last night in the 3rd and managed to score two goals in 17 seconds to earn a point(lost to TBay in OT). This is going to be a very tough game. Gylanders are flying high after the beat down they laid on the Pens the other night. Hopefully they tired them selves out and rightfully aren't afraid of the Sabres. 2-4 Swords.
BuffaloFansR_Crazy Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 I have to ask this. Considering the schedule and the games in hand, where is all the optimism in regards to the division lead? It's not out reach at their current pace? Why focus on 7th and 8th? Win the division you jump to third with home ice in the first round? Possible against a weakened Penguins team or a Tampa team with poor goaltending. Don't you want them to be in the lotto for first pick?
spndnchz Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Penguins, Thrashers and Sharks all need to win today. Buffalo can win in regulation or overtime and increase their chances the same. First 5 minutes guys. Let's GO!!
deluca67 Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Don't you want them to be in the lotto for first pick? The first pick overall would be awesome for the franchise, we can trade it to Toronto for Phil Kessel. I am just pointing out that there is an obvious chance at the division lead that is being ignored? Why would that be? If you are going to be optimistic why not go all the way.
Calvin Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 The first pick overall would be awesome for the franchise, we can trade it to Toronto for Phil Kessel. I am just pointing out that there is an obvious chance at the division lead that is being ignored? Why would that be? If you are going to be optimistic why not go all the way. The division lead would be difficult to achieve at this point in the season, one game at Bos and two at Mon left. They have close to double digit point leads on us, not many more games played and are not collapsing like the Thrash or Rags are.
Bmwolf21 Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Jack needs to start all GDTs. With no more football on, it's nice to have a Sunday afternoon game to watch. Agreed. I like the game preview and notes. It was one of the very few things I liked from the GDT at the now-defunct LetsGoSabres board. (Except, of course, all the ridiculous images and stuff in each and every post. Way too distracting.)
BuffaloFansR_Crazy Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 The division lead would be difficult to achieve at this point in the season, one game at Bos and two at Mon left. They have close to double digit point leads on us, not many more games played and are not collapsing like the Thrash or Rags are. agreed. And for Phil Kessel? They already have one Pville, don't need two
deluca67 Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 The division lead would be difficult to achieve at this point in the season, one game at Bos and two at Mon left. They have close to double digit point leads on us, not many more games played and are not collapsing like the Thrash or Rags are. They have 2 in hand on the Bruins a 4 on the Habs. Win the games in hand and suddenly the Sabres are 8pts behind the Bruins and 3 behind the Habs. Boston continues to lose and the Sabres win suddenly it's only 6 pts.
nucci Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 I have to ask this. Considering the schedule and the games in hand, where is all the optimism in regards to the division lead? It's not out reach at their current pace? Why focus on 7th and 8th? Win the division you jump to third with home ice in the first round? Possible against a weakened Penguins team or a Tampa team with poor goaltending. I agree but I guess we'll take one step at a time. Get to 7th-8th and work your way up. This Conference is looking more wide open every day.
deluca67 Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 agreed. And for Phil Kessel? They already have one Pville, don't need two Pominville is 28 and has only scored 30 goals once in his career. Kessel is 23 has had scored 30 goals twice. So in what way are they similar?
itbeatswalking Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 My knowledgable and in-depth pre-game analysis: WE NEED THIS ONE GUYS, LET'S GO BUFFALOOOOOOO!
Lanny Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 They have 2 in hand on the Bruins a 4 on the Habs. Win the games in hand and suddenly the Sabres are 8pts behind the Bruins and 3 behind the Habs. Boston continues to lose and the Sabres win suddenly it's only 6 pts. I like it! Boston lost 4-2 to Detroit today.
spndnchz Posted February 13, 2011 Report Posted February 13, 2011 Yashin jersey at the arena. Too funny.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.