The "Official Playoff" Isles @ Sabres game 4 - Gameday thread!

[Mitchy moo]

Go SABRES!!

Miller and Sabres shoot for commanding lead over Islanders
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD align=middle colSpan=8>Matchup</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=middle><TD> </TD><TD>W-L-OTL</TD><TD>HOME</TD><TD>ROAD</TD><TD>DIV</TD><TD>CONF</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD align=left>BUF</TD><TD>53-22-7</TD><TD>28-10-3</TD><TD>25-12-4</TD><TD>18-11-3</TD><TD>47-19-6</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD align=left>NYI</TD><TD>40-30-12</TD><TD>22-13-6</TD><TD>18-17-6</TD><TD>17-11-4</TD><TD>36-27-9</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD colSpan=8>&#183; Complete Standings (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/standings)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD align=middle colSpan=8>Team Stat Comparison</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/buf.gif</TD><TD> </TD><TD>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/nyi.gif</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>9</TD><TD>Goals
</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>6</TD><TD>Goals Against
</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>3</TD><TD>Power Play Goals
</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>1</TD><TD>Power Play Goals Allowed
</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>0</TD><TD>Shorthanded Goals
</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>0</TD><TD>Shorthanded Goals Allowed
</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=middle><TD>28</TD><TD>Penalty Minutes
</TD><TD>40</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD>9</TD><TD>Average Penalty Minutes
</TD><TD>13</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD align=middle colSpan=9>Goalie Breakdown</TD></TR><TR class=colhead><TD> </TD><TD>GOALIE</TD><TD align=right>GP</TD><TD align=right>W</TD><TD align=right>TGA</TD><TD align=right>GAA</TD><TD align=right>SO</TD><TD align=right>SV</TD><TD align=right>SV%</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD align=middle>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/buf.gif</TD><TD>Ryan Miller (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2637)</TD><TD align=right>3</TD><TD align=right>2</TD><TD align=right>6</TD><TD align=right>2.01</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>69</TD><TD align=right>.920</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD align=middle rowSpan=2>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/nyi.gif</TD><TD>Rick DiPietro (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2414)</TD><TD align=right>2</TD><TD align=right>1</TD><TD align=right>5</TD><TD align=right>2.53</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>64</TD><TD align=right>.928</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>Wade Dubielewicz (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=3403)</TD><TD align=right>1</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>4</TD><TD align=right>4.06</TD><TD align=right>0</TD><TD align=right>31</TD><TD align=right>.886</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD align=middle colSpan=8>Team Stat Leaders</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=middle><TD> </TD><TD>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/buf.gif</TD><TD>http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/nhl/sml/trans/nyi.gif</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>G</TD><TD>Brian Campbell (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1923) 2</TD><TD>Trent Hunter (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2428) 2</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>A</TD><TD>Dainius Zubrus (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1485) 4</TD><TD>Tom Poti (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1779) 2</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>PTS</TD><TD>Dainius Zubrus (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1485) 4</TD><TD>Tom Poti (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1779) 2</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow><TD>PIM</TD><TD>Daniel Briere (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1737) 4</TD><TD>Randy Robitaille (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1558) 6</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow><TD>SOG</TD><TD>Jochen Hecht (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1851) 13</TD><TD>Marc-Andre Bergeron (http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2797) 8</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- Ryan Miller (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2637) peeled off layer after layer of equipment following practice Tuesday, showing no ill effects of the two shots that rattled his mask the night before.
All the protection saved him from serious injury and stopped the shots that could've given the New York Islanders (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyi) a big win on home ice.
"If anyone's gotten punched in the face, that's kind of how it feels," Miller said of his first-period face saves in the Sabres' 3-2 victory Monday night in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series. "It's something you shake off.
"I feel good. I got on the ice today like any other day."
But this day was different for the Presidents' Trophy winners. They turned aside the Islanders in a hostile environment -- one that featured thrown drink bottles and towels after a late penalty call -- and took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series that continues Wednesday on Long Island.
After splitting two in Buffalo, the Sabres felt the pressure during the first road game of what they hope will culminate with their first Stanley Cup title. They still feel the heat, but some has shifted to the Islanders, who can't realistically hope to pull off the upset if they fall behind 3-1.
"It's a must win for us to change momentum and go back into Buffalo," Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1351) said. "They are going to be keyed up to try to get the win."
If the Sabres do, they will have a chance to advance to the second round Friday. Should New York steal another win as in Game 2, the pressure will shift back to top-seeded Buffalo.
A year ago, the Sabres got within one win of the Stanley Cup finals before falling to eventual champion Carolina. As the No. 4 seed they knocked Philadelphia out in six games during the first round before vanquishing the Senators in five.
They had reason to believe they would just roll over the Islanders, who needed to win on the final day of the season just to get into the 16-team tournament.
"They have a really good team," Miller said. "They deserved to make the playoffs and they proved it by beating us in our building with a very sound effort. We just want to come in here and play our game."
A big part of that is shutting down the Islanders' power play. The unit has connected once in 11 chances, and the one goal was the difference in New York's 3-2 victory Saturday.
Islanders captain Alexei Yashin (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=599), who played a team-low seven minutes in that win, was given 10:07 of ice time Monday. Six of those minutes came during the Islanders' four futile power plays.
After the Islanders closed within 3-2 on Ryan Smyth (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1103)'s goal with 8 seconds left in the middle period, they had a chance to tie in the opening minute of the third when Daniel Briere (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1737) went off for interference on goalie Rick DiPietro (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=2414).
But New York did little to press for the tying goal during the advantage or throughout the final frame when the Sabres outshot the Islanders 17-2.
"We have to have some people making some plays for us, and Yashin is one of those guys when he gets out there," coach Ted Nolan said. "Anytime you're unsuccessful, you're unhappy with a lot of things. He did what he could do."
But Smyth, who led Edmonton to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals last year, wants to see more from everyone.
"We can't take any negative baggage into (Wednesday) night's game," the trade-deadline acquisition said. "Everybody's got to do their part. ... There is always room for improvement. I could play better, everyone else can step up and be a part of it. It's just knowing that we're not satisfied with a loss."
While the Islanders complained about the officiating, specifically a disputed goal that gave Buffalo a 2-0 lead following a lengthy video review and a tripping call against Randy Robitaille (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1558) with 1:34 left, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said there were many other things the referees let slide on both sides.
"There was some embellishing on some of the plays," Ruff said of the Islanders, calling out DiPietro on Briere's interference penalty.
But Nolan countered. He has grown weary of hearing how overmatched his team is even though he admitted the Islanders had tired while chasing the speedy Sabres.
"If everybody keeps telling us how talented they are, and how good they are and how we're supposed to just go over and over it, that gets old," Nolan said. "We have a good group of guys here, we've got a proud group of guys. We just have to find our game, and if we play that way we'll have something to be happy with.
"The results will take care of itself."

thx to: espn

[Mitchy moo]

Ohh Nolan's team is tired:

He has grown weary of hearing how overmatched his team is even though he admitted the Islanders had tired while chasing the speedy Sabres.

Teddy, their going to have plenty of time to rest soon, all summer long.

[camelcowboy]

Skooby im pretty supersititous so i feel you should make the game day threads because they have been rolling along, but game 2 you made the thread this early and they lost. Game three you made it around 7am they won. Something to keep in mind.

[SabreEleven]

Agreed, CamelToe. We are flirting with disaster starting game threads this early.

[RockStar36]

I thought it was a joke how early Skooby made the threads, but damn, this is ridiculous.

[Ebenezer]

Game threads should not be started until 2 hours before game time, imo.

that being said:

:gosabres:

[clumping platelets]

:oldskool:

[BlackMetalNinja]

Seriously Skooby... I'm glad you could hold out for an entire 47 minutes!

[YardRat]

:gosabres:

[MTBillsFan]

GO SABRES!

[PcA125]

Lets kick some ass! :hockey:

Go Sabres!

[SabreEleven]

Let's get a foot on their jugular and sqeeze.....HARD. It's time to impose our will with some killer instinct...I think tonight will tell a lot about the 06-07 Buffalo Sabres and the rest of this playoffs...

[SkateZilla]

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS SACRED DONT UNDER ESTIMATE THE ISLES!

[Mitchy moo]

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS SACRED DONT UNDER ESTIMATE THE ISLES!

Forgetting potential jinxes, this is a very important fact.

[OpIv37]

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS SACRED DONT UNDER ESTIMATE THE ISLES!

skill-wise, they're no match for the Sabres, but they don't give up- they fight for every puck and every bounce, and in hockey that can make a world of difference. I have to give the Islanders credit for their determination- they're determined to make a series out of it even though no one is giving them a chance.

That being said, if the Sabres match their effort and keep the game moving, they have an advantage and should be able to pull it out. They just can't coast because the Islanders sure as hell aren't going to lay down.

:gosabres:

[BlackMetalNinja]

Let's Go Buffalo!!!!!

Time to take control of this series!

:gosabres::oldskool:

[SkateZilla]

Connolly May Be scratched tonite

[shelby]

i will be watching!
:gosabres::oldskool:

[Meathead]

thru the window

[Meathead]

Let's get a foot on their jugular and sqeeze...
i think you might be able to take miro but you might have trouble getting the others to lay down for you

[shelby]

thru the window
Abso:curse:inglutely!

Is it too early to start drinking?:scratch:

[hammerbillsfan]

Is it too early to start drinking?:scratch:

:no: :boozer:

[Meathead]

im only having one beer

http://www.mrandmrshedgehog.co.uk/hobbies/aviation/balloons/bristol2004/ok-1065.jpg

[SabreEleven]

What a ****ed up called on Vanek already.

[Nighthawk]

Well, I guess this is another game where we get to watch the Sabres not skate. I just don't understand this team's mindset.

[PcA125]

Hey everyone... I just got in from a meeting I had to go to and I see that we are down 0-1... can someone tell me how this happened? Good/bad goal? PP?

[Michael82]

Wow, this looks ugly. They are getting a lot of chances, but for some reason can't skate again.... :ill:

[PcA125]

make that 1-1 haha... I guess im good luck :)

[Michael82]

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! They SCOOOOOOORE!!!!! Thomas Vanek! :dance:

[Nighthawk]

Wow, this looks ugly. They are getting a lot of chances, but for some reason can't skate again.... :ill:

I'm starting to question this team's character and willingness to do what it takes to win the cup.

[Michael82]

:oldskool:

[SabreEleven]

Who am I?

"Scoooooooooooooooooooooooooooore Islanders"

"Score Sabres"

[Nighthawk]

I'm starting to question this team's character and willingness to do what it takes to win the cup.

Missed the goal...who scored?

[Michael82]

Nice goaltending by DiPietro! :rofl:

[Michael82]

Who am I?

"Scoooooooooooooooooooooooooooore Islanders"

"Score Sabres"
Versus? :ill:


Thank God for Rick Jeanerette and the MSG broadcast! :phew:

[Michael82]

THEY SCOOOOOOOORE!!!! Chris DRUUUUUUUUUUUURY!!!!!! With a nice assist from Dainius Zubrus!

:dance: :dance: :dance:

[Michael82]

Sabres leading 2-1!!!! :gosabres: :oldskool:

[Michael82]

I'm starting to question this team's character and willingness to do what it takes to win the cup.
Keep questioning it. It's working!!! :snicker:

[Michael82]

I love this commercial. It's Saturday! Real Good Steve. Real Good. :rofl:

[PcA125]

Who blocked that shot with the open net.... that was awesome

[Michael82]

Nice save by Ryan Miller! :bf1:

[PcA125]

jeeze... we kill off one penalty and get another

it didnt really look like he hit him that hard...

[Michael82]

Bull**** penalty!!! :mad:

[SABURZFAN]

****!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

[Michael82]

****!!! I saw that one coming. :ill: :mad:

[PcA125]

how do they always score right at the end of the ****ing period... Im sick of these announcers already.

[SABURZFAN]

game tied. :mad:

[SABURZFAN]

park looks to be instigating.


give him a penalty. :mad:

[SkateZilla]

I dont like where these refs are going,

Vanek's Holding the stick, was BS..

THe Trip was BS...

and Teppos Boarding was BS, Blake tried to SHoulder Teppo and Lost his battle and skated into the boards..


Tallinder is a effing Wuss, He was too worried about taking a hit instead of touching up for the icing, and they score a goal... effing wuss..

[Michael82]

how do they always score right at the end of the ****ing period... Im sick of these announcers already.
Thank God for MSG. I don't have to worry about listening to those idiots on Versus because they are blacked out in the Western NY area for Sabres games in this round. :phew:

[Michael82]

I dont like where these refs are going,

Vanek's Holding the stick, was BS..

THe Trip was BS...

and Teppos Boarding was BS, Blake tried to SHoulder Teppo and Lost his battle and skated into the boards..


Tallinder is a effing Wuss, He was too worried about taking a hit instead of touching up for the icing, and they score a goal... effing wuss..
It seems like the refs are trying to make it so the crybaby Islanders don't have anything to cry about today. What a load of ****! :mad:

[Meathead]

terrific play by smith

frustrating. sabres controlling the game and zing. classic nolan aint it

those end of period goals are often game killers in the playoffs. good thing its the first period. sabres still in good shape but that still sucks massive

[don137]

Blake is a little S*** that you sneeze on him he falls down. The only reason a penalty was called is because he deliberately tunred his back to Nummunen and was bumped. Crap call... He didn't even lay the body into him just his arm. I don't mind boarding calls but when Blake does it on purpose and falls on contact it's crap.

[BlackMetalNinja]

You guys are such homers... that was pretty much the definition of boarding. Teppo pushed him from behind into the boards, though why Blake had his head that far down is beyond me.

[PcA125]

it looked to me like he was on his way down already when teppo pushed him

[SkateZilla]

You guys are such homers... that was pretty much the definition of boarding. Teppo pushed him from behind into the boards, though why Blake had his head that far down is beyond me.


Boarding is Hitting a Player From Behind into the boards,

Teppo did no such thing, Blake tried to out shoulder him, and teppo just kinda "O-Le'd" Him...

[BlackMetalNinja]

it looked to me like he was on his way down already when teppo pushed him

At the very least he was leaning way too far over... Teppo shouldn't have touched him, you could see what was coming a mile away.

[BlackMetalNinja]

Boarding is Hitting a Player From Behind into the boards,

Teppo did no such thing, Blake tried to out shoulder him, and teppo just kinda "O-Le'd" Him...

You could clearly see Teppo's forearm across Blake's back and Teppo extended it... but why should I expect any different from you, you piss and moan about the refs every damn game.

[mchurchfie]

Blake is a little ******, what a dive.:down: Buffalo is still superior to these crybabies if we keep playing the way we are we will be okay. they need to tighten up on their penalty kill though, they seem to be running around a little too much.

[don137]

DRURRRRRYYYYY!!!

[Michael82]

He SCOOOOOOOOOOORES!!!!! Chris DRUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:jig:

[PcA125]

Drury!!!!

[Michael82]

yeah baby! THat's what I'm talking about. Keep it up. Nice job, Drury!!! :bf1:

[shelby]

Druuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuury!

Quick thought before i go back outside....we look far more aggressive than we did on Monday night.:oldskool:

[Crisis]

Is there a better playoff performer than Chris Drury?

Jesus.

[Michael82]

Is there a better playoff performer than Chris Drury?

Jesus.
Nope, he's unbelievable! :bf1:

[mchurchfie]

We need to keep the pressure on, we are backing off a little.

[Michael82]

Another big save by Miller. :bf1:

[lordofgun]

Is there a better playoff performer than Chris Drury?

Jesus.
You didn't even give us a chance to guess. :mad:

[don137]

I sure would breath a little easier if they got another goal...I worry that they put all this pressure and then the Islanders tie it up on a cheesy goal...

[MikeInRoch]

Or another cheese-ball penalty.

[Michael82]

I sure would breath a little easier if they got another goal...I worry that they put all this pressure and then the Islanders tie it up on a cheesy goal...

Agreed! They need to get another goal soon.... :nervous:

[mchurchfie]

We're starting to put on some pressure now.

[don137]

eesh how many penalties do the Sabres give up at the end of periods...

[MikeInRoch]

Wow, another bad call. Lovely.

[PcA125]

where... where was the tripping?

[Michael82]

Oh man, they got it out of there at the end. :phew:

[Michael82]

Okay, we got a 3-2 lead. Let's tack on a couple more goals and end this thing! :pray:

[SkateZilla]

You could clearly see Teppo's forearm across Blake's back and Teppo extended it... but why should I expect any different from you, you piss and moan about the refs every damn game.

Too mee .. it look like he .. "O Lay'd" him you know, lol, blake shoulda known not to turn that way, but anyway, i'd rather the refs call it close than let all teh dirty **** slide.. so... no biggie..

[MikeInRoch]

Can anyone tell me why Blake doesn't get holding the stick penalties when he spins a guy around by yanking on his stick?

[shelby]

We shall prevail damnit!

[Bufftp]

Is there a better playoff performer than Chris Drury?

Jesus.
Of course Jesus is better, he is better at everything!

[Michael82]

Come on Buffalo! Get that 4th goal! You gotta get some kind of cushion..... :pray:

[PcA125]

Oh Jesus.... Come on guys its almost over

[shelby]

THe whistle was blown. No :curse:ing goal.

[PcA125]

POMMINVILLE!!!!! OMG i love the hustle/ heart

[don137]

Goal by Pominville....

[Michael82]

WOOOOOOOO!!!! He SCOOOOOOOOOORES!!!!!! Jason Pominville!


:dance:

[shelby]

Poms!:jig:

And i loved the call by the refs....that was nooooo goooooooal!

[don137]

On the no goal was I the only person that thought the reason Miller was in the net because of goaltender interference?

[Dozerdog]

Of course Jesus is better, he is better at everything!

Jesus scores, even after getting nailed to the boards...



...:mbb:

[Michael82]

On the no goal was I the only person that thought the reason Miller was in the net because of goaltender interference?
That's what I thought too. It was stopped until the goaltender interference and I think that's why they blew the whistle. :up:

[shelby]

That's fine!

i love this team!:love:

:oldskool:

:posrep: for y'all in the morning!

[Crisis]

A team from Buffalo on the good end of these kind of calls?

I love it!!

[Michael82]

Let's Go Buffalo!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :dance: :dance: :dance:

[Michael82]

Friday is the clinching game for Buffalo at the HSBC arena. I think I'm going to go. Forget about selling my ticket, that place is going to be ****ing rocking!

[don137]

Friday is the clinching game for Buffalo at the HSBC arena. I think I'm going to go. Forget about selling my ticket, that place is going to be ****ing rocking!
Just remember though you will be spending a fortune for tickets later on...hopefully. You may rather go to more games later on and use the money now toward the next series and hopefully beyond

[SkateZilla]

Two Games in a Row the Fans Litter the Ice, IMHO That shoulda been a Bench Penalty against the Isles,

Anyway, they sneak into the playoffs,and when they play like shiz.. they throw trash to delay the game... classless...

[Nighthawk]

Great f'n effort after the first 10 minutes of the game. I love when this team makes me look like a jackass! That's what I get for callin' them out!

[Michael82]

Just remember though you will be spending a fortune for tickets later on...hopefully. You may rather go to more games later on and use the money now toward the next series and hopefully beyond
good point. If I can get at least $150 for this ticket, I'll sell it!

[SpillerThrills]

all I can say is great game! amaizing goal by Pommers, and I can't believe that DiPi didn't get a penalty for smashing his stick on the goal post! this team is starting to "click" again, they seemed alittle "rusty" at the beginning of the series but their getting it now!

[JD]

ME AND ABOUT 12 OTHERS WERE AT BUFFALO WILD WINGS ON TRANSIT AND THAT PLACE WAS GOING WILD!!!! AWESOME TIME!

And it gets even better.....I AM GOING TO GAME 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO and i may have an extra pair!

[Mitchy moo]

I had a meeting to go to and by the time I got home I just caught the 3rd period. I reread all the post on here, how did we look in general gamelong?