Everyone expected the Sabres to come out flat and suffer a loss against the Islanders tonight. Everyone was half right. The New York Islanders came away with a convincing 5-0 victory on the strength of a shutout by Martin Biron and a hat trick from Jeff Tambellini. The Buffalo Sabres did not come out flat. In fact they were the better team until the goals started piling up for the Islanders.
The Sabres outshot the Islanders 14-9 in the first period and had plenty of real good chances on Biron. Biron did his best Ryan Miller impersonation and stopped everything the Sabres put on net. He was outstanding to put it mildly. Richard Park put the Islanders on top 1-0 in the first period despite his team being thoroughly outplayed.
It was the Islanders second goal that came near the half way point of the second period that sealed the Sabres fate. Tambellini scored his first of the game with a shot through his legs that snuck past the goal post and by Miller. It was a fanatstic play by Tambellinin but a save Miller should have made and one he probably wants to have back. It was after that goal the Sabres seemed to let down their guard and the Islanders took over the game.
The Islanders eventually continued the onslaught on Ryan Miller and Patrick Lalime, who replaced the ineffective Miller. The lone bright spot of the game came when Patrick Lalime stopped Doug Weight on a penalty shot with 13 seconds left.
Myers is 19 Years Old
It is becoming more a more evident that Tyler Myers is 19 years old. He has made some suspect plays the past two nights and he single handily gave away the Islanders first goal. He hung is goalie Ryan Miller out to dry and put the Sabres behind the eight ball.
The Sabres had dominated the Islanders for the entire first period but his giveaway gave the Islanders the all important first goal. The Sabres only other regulation loss of the season came when the Thrashers scored the first goal. The Islanders have not fared well when they give up the first goal with a 1-3-3 record but they were an impressive 2-1-2 when they score first.
Miller is Human
I am not going to blame Ryan Miler for the Sabres loss tonight but he really looked human tonight. The second Islanders goal was a terrible goal and the other two are plays we have seen Miller make in the first nine games. I think Lindy Ruff will come back with Miller again on Wednesday to give him a chance to rebound from tonight's performance.
Harry Neale Quote of the Game
Once again the quote of the game is more a conversation.
Harry - "Not much of a fight there. It looked more like Dancing with the Stars"
Rick - "I was never invited to one of those"
Harry - "It's not because your not a star, it must be because you can't dance"
Up Next
Bring on the Islanders. The Sabres seek revenge on Wednesday night at the HSBC Arena.