[recap] Game 2: Sabres @ Islanders

This season is off to a very forgettable start for the Buffalo Sabres.  They dropped their second game in a row to the New York Islanders, this time 3-2 on Long Island.  Mike Comrie has become the new Sabres killer scoring two goals in the victory.  Comrie had two goals on Friday night as well to give him four on the season.  

The Islanders game plan was simple, they decided they would beat Buffalo physically and it worked.  The Sabres could never match the intensity or the physical play of the Islanders, who hit everyone in site.  The physical play seemed to rattle the Sabres who looked frustrated and confused.

The Sabres scored the first goal again, on a power play goal by Jaroslav Spacek.  The goal gives Spacek two goals in as many games this season.  Chris Campoli answered back with a power play goal of his own to tie the game for the Islanders.  The two teams played a scoreless second period and remained tied 1-1.

In the third period Mike Comrie took over and scored two goals, the first on what appeared to be a harmless backhand shot that slipped between the legs of Ryan Miller.  Comrie's second goal was the result of bad play by Buffalo in their own zone.  Comrie was left all alone in the slot while five Sabres collapsed down low and seemed disoriented.  Sabres captain Jochen Hecht was able to pull Buffalo within one but they would not be able to beat Dipietro again.

The Good:

• Jaro Spacek has two goals on the season...including one on the power play

• For most of the game they seemed better in their own end

• They never gave up...getting 17 shots in the final frame

• Brian Campbell...he played over 30 minutes and was a plus one

The Bad:

• The Sabres start the season 0-2

• 1-7 on the powerplay...makes them 1-11 on the season

• Another blown lead...two games, two leads, two losses

• Allowed another power play goal against

The Even Worse:

• The way the Sabres were physically manhandled

• Toni Lydman left the game with an injury...let's hope it's not serious

• Ryan Miller on Comrie's first goal

• The defense on Comrie's second goal

Sabres Goals:

• Jaroslav Spacek (2) (Campbell, Stafford)

• Jochen Hecht (1) (Connolly, Pominville)