Islanders vs. Sabres Recap: Sabres Keep Slim Playoff Hopes Alive With Win

by Zachary Zielonka on Feb 22, 2012 6:39 AM EST in Game Recaps

Feb 21, 2012; Buffalo, NY, USA; New York Islanders right wing P.A. Parenteau (15) looks to make a pass while being defended by Buffalo Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek (26) during the third period at the First Niagara Center. Sabres defeat the Islanders 2 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-US PRESSWIRE

The Buffalo Sabres might start looking like the little engine that could as they head to the end of the season. The team won their second game in a row and are now six points out of a playoff spot with 22 games left to play. The Sabres defeated the New York Islanders 2-1 at the First Niagara Center on Wednesday and now have a 1.3% chance of making the playoffs according to Sports Club Stats.

The Sabres got the scoring started early again, this time with a goal 1:21 into the game. Tyler Myers found the loose puck in front of the net and was able to beat goaltender Mike Poulin who was scrambling after the barrage of shots that went on net. This is Myers second goal in this last three games and Myers now has a four game point streak. The assists on the play went to Derek Roy and Jason Pominville. The Sabres looked like the better team in the first period after the Islanders played Monday afternoon against the Ottawa Senators but the Islanders did outshoot the Sabres 14-13 in the period.

The Sabres would keep on the pressure on in the second period as they went up 2-0 at the 3:41 mark of the period. Thomas Vanek got a nice feed from Derek Roy from behind the net and scored his 22nd goal of the season. Roy and Pominville each earned their second assists on the night with the goal.

The Sabres kept the pressure on the Islanders in the second period, outshooting New York 15-6 in the period, but were only able to give themselves a 2-0 lead. The Islanders did get themselves to within one goal at the 14:52 mark of the third period as Franz Nielsen ripped a shot from the left faceoff dot past Ryan Miller for the lone goal the Islanders would score.

Ryan Miller had another stellar night, including probably the save of the year on Brian Rolston and then again on Josh Bailey:

Miller made 30 saves on 31 shots and now has a psuedo winning record as he is 18-17-4 on the season. Islanders goaltender Mike Poulin had 35 saves on 37 shots to take the loss. The Sabres will have two days off before facing off against the 1st and 2nd teams in the Eastern Conference this weekend in the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Sabres hangin’ in there, barely.

The next two games will be the big test – getting anything less than 2-3pts from the pair of games against the Bruins and Rangers could be the death knell, while good results could immensely boost confidence in the locker room.

It sucks that the rest of the teams jostling for position are picking up points too!

Smile.. tomorrow will be worse

by Calvin on Feb 22, 2012 8:14 AM EST reply actions

Just about to say that...

IF we get 3 points this weekend, we’ll have a good shot, 2 or less… its probably over.

Lets Go Buff a lo!

by bflo on Feb 22, 2012 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

I don't get the %'s for playoff chances..

As calculated by whatever site keeps getting quoted here.. I mean, I’m sure it has to do with trends toward what an estimate of the end-of-season tally will be, based on the year up til now, but really – it doesn’t mean anything. the only way I’d put our chances as low as the 2 or 3% being quoted, is if we were 6 points out with <10 games remaining.

In other words, I remain 100% sure we will make the playoffs.. until the next 12 games tell me no!

by joeysimms on Feb 22, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

KALETA

He played over 18 minutes last night. What are the Sabres doing? Showcasing him for a trade???

by BUBLSRM on Feb 22, 2012 10:02 AM EST reply actions

His line was out there to shut down the Tavares line. Johnny t was limited to one shot last night so I think the plan worked

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Feb 22, 2012 10:59 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Gerbe/Goose/Kaleta have been playing so well in the last few games. It is nice to have a shut down line to play against another teams top line.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Feb 22, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly

And to illustrate your point, this is where the “By the Numbers” posts can be very illuminating. Of the 17 even strength minutes Kaleta played last night, 14 were against the Tavares line.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 22, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

I was being sarcastic!!! I would have to find another favorite team if they ever traded Pat! Still, among the forwards, only Roy played more minutes. I know I am biased, but I like how he`s played the last 10 games. I wish Darcy would do us a favor and sign him to a long term contract and then have Lindy put an “A” on his jersey. He has busted to tail to get this far.

by BUBLSRM on Feb 22, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I mean, busted his tail.

by BUBLSRM on Feb 22, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

Kaleta plays great when healthy. Maybe his alteration in his playing style due to penalties and Shannabanning could keep him healthy? That wouldn’t be a bad thing…he shows he doesn’t need to crush people in order to be effective.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Feb 22, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Matt Cooke cut out the nasty stuff and has maintained his level of play

Year Team GP G A Pts +/- PIM Hits BkS PPG PPA SHG SHA GW SOG Pct
2009-10 PIT 79 15 15 30 17 106 183 54 2 1 0 1 1 105 .143
2010-11 PIT 67 12 18 30 14 129 192 39 0 0 3 3 2 95 .126
2011-12 PIT 60 11 13 24 0 26 112 31 1 4 2 2 1 111 .099

Smile.. tomorrow will be worse

by Calvin on Feb 22, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions