Game 2: Sabres vs. Islanders Preview

Game 2 features an early start due to the Columbus Day Holiday. Game time on the Island is 2:00 pm. The Sabres looked like a team again during the home opener on Friday. Winning in a shootout was also a major improvement over last season where they only won 4 of 13 in the skills competition. One of the major drawbacks of that game though was the special teams for the Sabres. With the last minute scratch of Tim Connolly, the powerplay looked overly lost especially during the 4 minute double minor they had. Ultimately the team went 0-6 on the powerplay. The penalty kill was pretty good holding Montreal goal less as well.

The Islanders are coming into this game 1-1 playing without their usual starting goaltender Rick DiPietro. Backup Joey MacDonald has played both games for the Islanders and has fared pretty well losing to the Devils while beating the Blues. Other injuries for the Islanders include Radek Martinek, Chris Campoli, and Mike Sillinger. This seemed like an easy series for the Sabres last year and then they dropped the first two games to the Islanders. This year seems to be the same thing but as always the parody in this league means that any team can compete on any given night. Here are the stats

Buffalo

Stat Leaders
Goals - Vanek (1)
Assists - Lydman, Numminen (1)
Points - Vanek, Lydman, Numminen (1)
Plus/Minus - Hecht, Rivet, Stafford, Vanek (+1)
Shots - Vanek (8)
Penalty Minutes - Numminen (4)

Special Teams
Power Play: 0-6 (0.0%, Tied for 26th in League)
Penalty Kill: 4-4 (100.0%, Tied for 1st in League)

Goaltender Stats
Miller: 1-0, .93 GAA, .964 SV%
New York Islanders

Stat Leaders
Goals - Guerin, Weight, Comrie, Hilbert, Hunter, Bergenheim (1)
Assists - Weight, Gervais, Streit (2)
Points - Weight (3)
Plus/Minus - Witt, Thompson (+2)
Shots - Guerin, Sim, Hunter (6)
Penalty Minutes - Guerin (4)

Special Teams
Powerplay: 2-10 (20.0%, 10th in League)
Penalty Kill: 5-7 (71.4%, Tied for 24th in League)

Goaltender Stats
MacDonald: 1-1, 2.01 GAA, .927 SV%

*Last minute note, Lalime to start this game. Nothing wrong with Miller just want to get Lalime time in net with 4 games in 6 days.