A NY Battle/Devs host Ovechkin-less Caps

November 4, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

There are two games involving three Battle clubs tonight. Both will be at the top of the hour.

One pits another all New York Battle when the Islanders pay a visit to Western New York against the Sabres. The Islanders have reeled off four in a row, including a 5-0 home rout of Buffalo who will be looking for revenge. During the streak, Dwayne Roloson’s won all three of his starts while Martin Biron pitched a shutout versus his former team. John Tavares has a point in all four and Jeff Tambellini has five points, including his first career hat trick in the ‘W’ over the Sabres. How good is it going for the Isles? Even Brendan Witt notched his first career two-goal game in Monday’s 3-1 win over Edmonton. Can the Islanders make it five in a row or will Buffalo get back on the winning track?

The other game features the Devils, who host an Alex Ovechkin less Washington club. The two-time rating MVP suffered a lower body injury over the weekend and is expected to miss two weeks. So, the Devs catch a break but what’s this? They usually fare well versus Ovie. So, perhaps it’s not that much of a blessing. Don’t forget the Caps still boast plenty of fire power in Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Semin, Brooks Laich, Tomas Fleischmann and Mike Green. So, it shouldn’t come easy for Martin Brodeur, who again looks to match Terry Sawchuk. The Devils will be without Patrik Elias again with Matt Halischuk recalled. But Zach Parise, Travis Zajac, Jamie Langenbrunner and David Clarkson have been doing their part. New Jersey will be without Johnny 5 but good luck charm Andy Greene is in the lineup. Who will they face? Jose Theodore or Semyon Varlamov? We’ll find out soon.

So, on a night the Yankees again try to put away the Phillies at the Golden Palace, there will be plenty of local flavor for puckers to choose from. Enjoy the action!

Who: Wsh @ NJD

Where: The Rock

When: 7 PM, MSG-+

Broadcasters: Doc Emrick, Chico Resch

Who: NYI @ Buf

Where: HSBC Arena

When: 7 PM, MSG-++

Broadcasters: Howie Rose, Billy Jaffe