Buffalo Sabres @ New York Islanders [Game Thread]

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 6:00 PM EDT

Buffalo Sabres at New York Islanders, Oct 31, 2009 7:00 PM EDT

Buffalo Sabres (8-1-1, 17pts)	Game # 11	New York Islanders (3-4-5, 11pts)
	@

Date:	October 31, 2009	Location:	Uniondale, NY
Time:	7:00 p.m. ET	Arena:	Nassau County Memorial Coliseum
TV:	MSG	SBN Affiliate/ Blogs	Lighthouse Hockey
Radio:	WGR (550AM)	Season Series	Buf 1-0-0, NYI 0-1-0
Final Score

Category	Buffalo Sabres	New York Islanders
Goals For	32 (3.20)	28 (2.33)
Goals Against	19 (1.90)	39 (3.25)
Shots For	352(35.2)	365 (30.4)
Shots Against	293 (29.3)	396 (33.0)
Power Play	9/49 - 18.4% (T-19)	9/45 - 20.0% (17)
Penalty Kill	30/37 - 81.1% (11)	37/46 - 80.4% (13)

Quite frankly I can't find information on what goalies are playing or who the scratches will be tonight. This will be the open thread but the information won't be available until game time.

SPG Game

I quickly put up a post before the first game that explained the SPG Game. Unfortunately I did not do a very good job of explaining it. I will try to do a better job of explaining the game and the objective in this post. As always , if there are any questions send me an e-mail or ask in the comments.

What is the SPG Game?

"SPG" is an acronym for "Shot", "Penalty" and "Goal". The object of the game is to predict which Buffalo Sabres player will have the first shot, penalty and goal for each period.

How Does it Work?

You receive one point for every correct prediction you make. This gives you a potential for nine points in a regulation game, 12 points in an overtime game and 14 points in a shootout.

How Do I Sign Up?

The SPG Game is free to play with a special thanks to Gary Perez for building the platform that drives these statistics. You can sign up by visiting this page and creating account. After creating account you will have to visit the game page to make your selections.

Prizes?

There will be prizes available for the winner of each month as well as a grand prize winner at the conclusion of the regular season. The winner of the grand prize at the end of the season will win a Buffalo Sabres jersey. We will start out small by giving away a Buffalo Sabres poster to the winner of the October SPG Game.

Last game left until we give away a Sabres poster.

Mobile Site

Remember that you can visit http://mobile.diebytheblade.com to visit the mobile site and you can comment from wherever you watch the game. Hope to see you here.

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Comments

Who Knows What to Expect?

I never take any team for granted and the Isles are definitely a threat and playing better this year.

I’m hoping the Sabres jump off to a quick lead, actually give Lalime some support for a change, and pull off the win. It’s important to have confidence you can win your backup as well as your starting goalie. Having said that, I still wish we had Marty Biron! Any chance he would come back, or we’d go after him? I think the team plays better in front of Marty than Patrick.

by ccthemovieman on Oct 31, 2009 6:16 PM EDT reply actions

I can see us making a move for Biron at the trade deadline if we’re in a good position in the division. I would love to see Marty back in Blue & Gold and I think he’d seriously consider it if this team stays hot and goes strong into the playoffs.

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Oct 31, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Well if he’s traded here, he can’t “consider” anything ;)

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

touche.

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Oct 31, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ll give’m Paetsch and a 4th round pick

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Oct 31, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Vogl says Lindy hinted that he may ride Miller’s hot hand and play him – no word on whether that means Lalime’s sick too.

No Kaleta, no Gaustad. Kennedy and Hecht were sick too, But they’re better and good enough to play.

I will assume that Paetsch takes Kaleta’s spot on the 4th line and Sekera plays on D.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2009/10/live-from-sabres-at-islanders.html

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

6:29 p.m.: It’s official. The goaltending matchup is Miller versus Martin Biron.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

I like that matchup. The Isles are coming off of a huge win.

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Oct 31, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad Miller is playing

and trust that Ruff is not going to burn him out this season, as he did a couple of years ago. Lalime must be sick.

by ccthemovieman on Oct 31, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, Rick and Harry!

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:09 PM EDT reply actions

Finally Here

kids done getting treats

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:12 PM EDT reply actions

Power Play

Too Many men

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

Too many men – Sabres PP!

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions

Couple chances

not much of a threat though.

D.O.
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by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

Quiet night tonight

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

Everyone else with their kids and/or getting ready to go out to a party, most likely.

Looks like it’s me and you, Dave.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Luckily I don’t live in a child-friendly neighborhood. That means more hockey for me!

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I took the kids out

and now I’m watching the game in a secluded room with the rest of the lights off.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

so far

it’s a boring game

by qdloser on Oct 31, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

Miller!

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

was it windy

up your way d o

by qdloser on Oct 31, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions

True that

The Toronto game was one of the most entertaining games all year in terms of excitement for both teams. Playing for a half-empty arena probably takes some of the thrill out of it.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions

Sabres have 11 shots

they got some good opportunities on the power play an Miller just stopped a breakaway that is pretty exciting.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

True, but the Tronna crowd atmospheres are always awesome. Also I was listening to the Leafs announcers on Gamecenter and I really like them. Their play-by-play man keeps every single pass and shot exciting.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Sabres look better than last night, that’s for sure.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:28 PM EDT reply actions

Let ’em fight!

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:29 PM EDT reply actions

Stupid Grier

why didn’t he let Rivet fight him?

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:29 PM EDT reply actions

How….did that not go in?

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:32 PM EDT reply actions

I would like to know myself

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah, Martinek made the save. Nice form!

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Biron looking good tonight

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

Excellent save.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

This has been all Sabres

and then we give away a goal.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

Hey Myers? Where was this the first 9 games so we can send you back down?

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah he has not really looked good the last 2 games. I’m noticing lots of Lydman/Sekera-esque giveaways. Still, he will learn.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I guess you couldn’t ask for a better period…..except where it matters.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

Park's goal

They just showed a graphic saying it was his first since April 3, 2009. Is it just me, or do we always seem to give up goals to guys like that. It’ll be December and we give up some guys first goal of the year…

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

This aint hal bad

We get Rick and Harry during the game but don’t have to deal with Sylvester during intermission.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:01 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, works for me!

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a hugfest.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

Like Montador’s hair though. Good hockey hair.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Jackman is huge

Monty needed to keep him close to be able to connect on a punch.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice job Monty

D.O.
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by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:05 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah , we know why he did it, which means a lot.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Lovin the team attitude

Nobody gets in Miller’s crease this year.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

Organist

Is playing “Sabre Dance.” A little home-ice advantage for us?

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

hahaha

I missed that…hilarious.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Fun Fact

I was a percussion major in college – Sabre Dance is actually a pretty common audition piece for professional orchestra auditions all over the world. That was a fun few weeks of practicing :)

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Ouch.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

broken arm

there is no way he is in that much pain and it’s not broken. That deserves way more than two minutes.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:15 PM EDT reply actions

Continues the trend – every time Paetsch plays forward, him or a defenseman gets hurt.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

And that figures.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

This is not going to be our night

The team plays better than expected but Biron outplays Miller.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

Miller has to come back to Earth at some point.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

He has tonight

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Problem is, you’re going to hear a lot of “well, we would have lost tonight anyways, so why not play Lalime instead of screwing up Miller?”

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Managing Miller

will be tough this year. We obviously need him to have the best chance to win, but since it looks like he’ll also be starting for Team USA, we’ll also need to make sure he’s fresh for the playoffs.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Again, Tallinder sits there while miller gets run over.

AND AGAIN…..COME ON!

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Should have been a penalty

that is ridiculous they let Sim skate right into the crease and drill Miller.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Game over.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions

The way Biron is playing it is.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

We all knew this was inevitable sooner or later.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn

I’m watching online (Gamecenter) and have it on a 40 sec delay to match up with the WGR radio feed. So all these comments from the future are spoiling everything for me :(

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

Turn it off. Do yourself a favor.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Game Over

D.O.
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by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

Time to go get drunk.

by Afino on Oct 31, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

Might need a drink myself

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Amen brother.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Paetsch is back

D.O.
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by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

Hillen should get an extra two for being a pansy

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:35 PM EDT reply actions

If you are going to face wash you should man up and drop the gloves.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha I’d love to see the referee hand-sign for that.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's give Biron credit

Buffalo had a lot of chances and he made the saves. After that the Islanders took over and beat Miller for some goals.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

The way we’ve played the last few games, we can’t complain about a goalie winning the game for his team.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

No complaints

I just don’t think the Sabres have played that poorly tonight. I think they were much worse last night.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Still a chance

The Islanders have not been good in the third period. They blew a 3-0 lead with under 10 minutes left to Boston. Overall they have allowed 17 goals in the third period and they have only scored eight.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

With the offensive talent we have over all 4 lines, we’re never out of it. This team will be scary if Roy and Vanek ever start scoring goals….

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope we don't get shutout.

If I wanted to watch offensive ineptitude, I’d watch the Bills.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

hahaha

my thoughts exactly

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, except the Bills D scores more than the Sabres!

by bluecollarbuffalo on Oct 31, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Mair

that was a vicious hit on Witt.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

Witt has a serious mullet.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Grier

he must have thought the Islanders symbol on Biron’s chest was a target because he hit it right in the center.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

I hate to say it....

but this is the team we saw too often last year.

by bluecollarbuffalo on Oct 31, 2009 9:16 PM EDT reply actions

Need Patty and Goose back in the lineup

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. Especially on faceoffs.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

True, but it’s only the first time I feel we’ve been dominated by a lesser opponent (3rd period of Toronto notwithstanding.) Let’s hope this trend doesn’t continue. I like to think we have a new attitude this year.

by Andy Boron on Oct 31, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly

I think they played better tonight than they did the last time they played the Islanders. If Roloson wasn’t so bad last game the Islanders would have beat the Sabres that night.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 31, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions