Islanders visit improved Sabres tomorrow

October 15, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Tomorrow night, a virtual Battle Of New York takes place when the Islanders pay a visit to Western New York to face the Sabres at HSBC.

Is this the game John Tavares and the Isles get their first ‘W’ of the new season? Scott Gordon’s club will have to contend with a stingy D that hasn’t allowed an even strength goal during their first four (3-0-1). In getting seven of a possible eight points to start off, Lindy Ruff’s bunch look even better than expected. Entering a Versus showdown with Detroit, they’d only scored four goals making us wonder when the offense would come. It came alright in the form of a well executed 6-2 blowout of the mighty Wings, who could be in for hard times without Johan Franzen.

During the bustout performance, five Sabres registered at least two points including a pair of goals from top sniper Thomas Vanek, who injured himself when he slid into the boards following a slick Derek Roy setup. Initially, it looked like he could be out for weeks but now Ruff indicated that Vanek’s feeling much better and might only miss a few days. Such a dramatic recovery could only be a positive for the club’s most dangerous scorer. Other pluses included Roy’s three helpers, Jason Pominville’s two and plenty more from a strong supporting cast. Even pest Patrick Kaleta notched his first career two-point game playing on a physical checking line with Paul Gaustad (2 A) and Matt Ellis (A). Drew Stafford also scored his first while Ryan Miller cleaned up, making 23 stops including denying Valtteri Filppula on a penalty shot.

Perhaps the biggest difference with these Sabres is the physical presence of 19 year-old rookie defenseman Tyler Myers. The former 2008 first round pick is already fulfilling expectations by using his lanky 6-8, 222-pound frame to clear the front of the net. For years, Buffalo has lacked this kind of blueliner who could be a force. Our resident Sabre blogger has gone on and on about the lack of toughness while watching his team miss the last two seasons. With Myers, it looks like Buffalo has someone to build around who will make it much tougher on opponents. Over his first four games, he’s plus-four with no penalty minutes while also contributing a pair of assists, including a nice one on Kaleta’s marker in which he jumped into the play. Indeed, the big man has surprising quickness for his size. Due to his presence, the Sabres haven’t missed a beat despite Toni Lydman just returning and Andrej Sekera expected out two weeks.

With Ruff opting to a more puck possession style that results in action similar to Detroit with lots of finish around the net as they did in turning the tables on the Wings, the Sabres look to be a more difficult team to play against. Boasting one of the game’s most overlooked No.1 goalies in Miller and plenty of depth that includes Tim Connolly, Buffalo should give struggling Boston some competition in the Northeast. Given what we’ve seen of the Bruins, they’re not the same team. With the Canadiens and Leafs scuffling, Boston’s competition could come from the Sabres and improved Sens, who routed the Lightning 7-1 tonight on the strength of Milan Michalek’s first career hat trick. Dany who?!?!?!?!?!

Certainly, this won’t be a picnic for the Islanders Friday. They’ve played reasonably well thus far gaining points in their first three before losing at home to an improved LA club 2-1 on Columbus Day. The big issue has been finishing off games like the awful conclusion they had in Beantown where they self destructed after dominating. They also could’ve gotten two against the defending champs in the home opener but Sid The Kid spoiled the party with Tavares getting his first career goal off a nifty backhand roof job, also adding a helper.

The 2009 No.1 overall pick has been as advertised putting up five points (2-3-5) in his first three, including a nice finish off a two-on-one against the B’s. He was shutout versus LA with buddy Matt Moulson preventing a shutout. Moulson looks to be a solid find, meshing well with Tavares in totaling two goals and two assists. Not bad for a former Pens’ 2003 ninth rounder who played in just 29 career NHL games all with the Kings, registering 10 points (6-4-10). At 25, it looks like he could be one of those late bloomers. We really like what we’ve seen from the gritty forward who goes to the net and wins battles. While the jury remains out on Rob Schremp, Moulson may stick on that top line, benefiting from both Tavares and emerging power wing Kyle Okposo (1-3-4).

No.1 defenseman Mark Streit’s off to another quick start with a goal and three helpers but the big minute go-to guy needs help from struggling vets Brendan Witt and Andy Sutton, who apparently are rubbing off on third-year D Bruno Gervais. Both Witt and Gervais are each minus six while Sutton (Even) got abused by <gulp> Byron Bitz in the Bruin comeback. That can’t happen. Radek Martinek’s (G) looked good as has Freddy Meyer (2 A). But the Isles need more from their proven vets who earn much more.

They also need help up front from Josh Bailey (A, -2), Sean Bergenheim (4 PIM, -2), Richard Park (0 Pts, -5) and Blake Comeau (0 Pts in 3 GP). It can’t just be Tavares’ line with the wiz kid getting three of five points on the power play. The Islanders are getting little done five-on-five. Eventually, opponents will adjust making sure they stay out of the box. So far, Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron have given them solid netminding in splitting the duties while Rick DiPietro begins practicing. They need offensive help which hopefully savvy vet/captain Doug Weight can provide.

Tomorrow night will be tough but they’ve had four days to prepare. We’ll see if they come out firing.