Sabres 3, Islanders 0: Isles win streak ends with a whimper
by Dominik on Nov 4, 2009 10:46 PM EST
in New York Islanders Game Recaps
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PrintThat win streak sure was fun, wasn't it? Ah, memories. Four days after being knocked from the game by an Islanders Tambellini Special, Ryan Miller turned the tables and shutout the Islanders. Taking nothing away from Miller here, but he didn't have to work for it the way Martin Biron did in the first period on Halloween.
These games happen -- perhaps it's a good dose of humble pie -- but the Islanders from minute one never looked like they had it. It wasn't Montreal bad by any stretch, but they were flat from the start, and Biron gave them every chance to find their groove. Unlike other recent games with flat starts, tonight they never found it. Final shots: 39-24.
Game Summary | Event Summary | nhl.com Recap | Isles Recap
Of note right away was the sluggishness of the Kyle Okposo/John Tavares/Matt Moulson line. When Okposo is taking a frustration obstruction penalty, you know something's off. When Jon Sim follows it up with one of his own, you know it's going to be an uphill kind of night. (Meanwhile, Jeff Tambellini/Josh Bailey/Doug Weight probably showed the most life, with nothing to show for it.)
Could Tavares be going through his first rookie-year lull? It's possible. We'd be wise to expect it, anyway. I don't necessarily expect it this soon, but he has been going non-stop with commitments since June. And as he's learning, you're never really fully prepared for the every-game pounding the NHL inflicts on a body. And first-line center minutes is a lot to ask of a kid all year long. Which is why, I presume, Gordon held Tavares's minutes back tonight (15:54). Weight (19:51) and Bailey (18:55) each saw more.
Two theories expressed in the game thread are worth mulling over. Check those and video (if you must torture yourself) after the jump.
Game Lowlights:
Theory 1: They were out of gas. While the Islanders kept up their busy schedule and handled Edmonton at home Monday, Buffalo went out and worked on their game, and recuperated. If the gassed theory is the case, that doesn't bode well for back-to-backs with New Jersey and Atlanta this Friday and Saturday.
Theory 2: Element of surprise is gone. Did the Sabres, having seen how the Islanders can take a team apart when their on, make the right adjustments to keep the Isles from ever getting on track? Perhaps more interesting from this line is thought is how we can watch other teams when they play the Isles after losing to them previously. We'll get that chance next week with Washington.
Here's hoping they can still take the Devils and Thrashers off guard.
This game wasn't much to write about, but those theories are worth mulling over.
Meanwhile, one parting thought: Patrick Kaleta is some kind of idiot. Or more precisely, Kaleta should probably learn how to take a hit and how to give payback within the game. Lucky for him, the Islanders' powerplay had nothing tonight. So his reaction to being hit by Jack Hillen by throwing a late, petulant hit on Frans Nielsen -- and driving him into Biron -- was, well, it was a fine display of stupidity. Then stirring it up with Tim Jackman and Nate Thompson in the game's dying seconds? Well, I suppose somewhere in his head, he proved something. Must be a fun world.
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I will take a bit of consolation in the fact that the Sabres really are actually a very, very good team this season. And the fact that the kids are allowed to have an off night once in a while. I just hope that they regroup quickly… because they face the Devs next, and thats a much more important game. Its divisional, and its within their grasp if they work hard enough for it.
That BS call on Witts perfectly clean hit as well as that “its OK if the whistle blew, herrres your goal” both ticked me off. Next thing you know they will be letting teams score on us off the netting, Oh wait, thats already happened too.
Lets go Islanders...
the Buffalo announcers were whining because we got the man advantage on the Streit-Biron thing. In any event, I think the real problem was that they stopped feeding Godzilla those red hot chile peppers.
quite true, our 2 worst games were vs buff, who we beat once and only has 2 losses
witt isn’t nec. known as mr.clean, so that the call was made wasn’t shocking, that it was from the trail ref was annoying, seeing the other ref watch the play from the other corner boards — wish the nhl could fix that bc it happens A LOT
unfortunately that was a goal, and for a second i thought we caught a break, guess not, oh well
Few notes from across center ice:
-It’s theory #2. Lindy Ruff admitted as much in a recent interview, literally saying that his team didn’t take the Islanders seriously last Saturday night. I’m sure he has since reminded them that every team in the NHL can win on any night, and they woke up and played like they’re supposed to play: puck possession offense, suffocating defense, and converting their chances, the sort of hockey we’ve seen this season, not the trainwreck from Saturday.
-Jackman started the pushing and shoving out of frustration at the end of the game, not Kaleta. Kaleta is a rat who rather often takes stupid penalties (i.e. taking a run at Nielsen), but he’s also drawn more powerplays for his team than any player in the NHL since the start of last season. You love him if you have him but hate him if you play against him. Classic rat just like Matthew Barnaby.
-Which Wiit hit are you referring to, the one where he shoved Grier in the numbers face-first into the boards, or where he cross-checked MacArthur from behind right into the crossbar?
-The replay-reviewed Gaustad goal just goes to show that the rulebook is basically irrelevant when it comes to goal reviews. Toronto can throw out the guidelines and do whatever the fuck it wants, and there’s nothing any of us can do about it. For example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX5FjyjKM6k
Note that that puck CLEARLY went in through the side of the net. Yet it was counted anyway. In the playoffs. Another example that Toronto can overrule any call on the ice it wants without ever having to give a legitimate explanation.
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 5, 2009 2:04 AM EST reply actions
Thanks. Agreed on Toronto, which wields with an invisible fist. And the Sabres did look much better prepared. As lethargic as the Islanders were (fatigue, or frustration? Not sure), I’m not sure they could have beaten even Saturday’s version of the Sabres.
-Jackman started the pushing and shoving out of frustration at the end of the game, not Kaleta.
But Kaleta had been jawing at him (away from play, of course) for the entire shift (like a rat, making worthless points in garbage time), and then Kaleta decided to make a high hit (arms up, just like they teach in Rat School) on Thompson with under 15 seconds left, which is why Jackman went after him with the shoving. Personally, I’ve no patience for players like Kaleta, whether they’re on my team or not. That’s just me. They do not add to hockey, they only subtract — and then pat themselves on the back for being great at being assholes. Woohoo.
Witt’s crosscheck was stupid, and he should know better. But to quibble on the Grier hit? Borderline, but Grier turned to put himself in the “you better not hit me” position, then dropped his glove afterward for dramatic effect. The delay in the ref raising his arm seemed to reflect the turning of the hamster wheel in the ref’s brain as he thought “that shouldn’t be a penalty, but I see the victim is staying down, and his glove even flung off as if in a carwreck, so the optics don’t look good…”
But all of that’s neither here nor there. The Islanders were outplayed from minute 1 to minute 60.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
I used to feel the same way about players like Kaleta…particularly with regarded to Ottawa uber-goon Chris Neil. I thought they were nothing more than punks who didnt bring anything worthwhile to the game except a variety of stupid penalties and annoying trashtalk.
Then we brought Kaleta up from the minors and I realized why every team needs a player like him: because his plus/minus on penalties drawn versus taken is something obnoxiously high like +40, and he’s an effective 4th line player who can score a bit when asked to, delivers big hits that pump the team up, and can possess and cycle the puck in the corners.
In short, everything you want on your 4th line, just like Steve Ott, Dan Hinote, and Matthew Barnaby before him.
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 5, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
His penalty plus/minus, which I wasn’t aware of before you brought it up, is damn impressive.
I appreciate the usefulness of an energy/agitator role for sure. But speaking strictly as a fan and my enjoyment of the game: Certain guys — Steve Ott way more than Dan Hinote — are just too douchy for me to stomach. Ott’s a talented player in his own right, and I’ve heard a lot of Stars fans just wish he would play on the up and up; but when a guy crosses the legal line multiple times, or when he’s Avery yapping non-stop during garbage time when it doesn’t matter, he ceases to serve a net positive purpose for me. I don’t care what else he brings; the devil’s bargain of his existence is no longer worth it. (This is usually where someone says removing the instigator would help police that. Maybe so.)
I realize I don’t have the full picture on Kaleta, I’ve just heard things about him and then was not impressed by his reaction to being hit. But my ideal is a guy who hits hard, hits often and receives a hit not by petulantly lashing out at the nearest random foe — the “WTF?” look of surprise on Nielsen’s face was priceless — but instead by taking a number and leveling the right guy at the next legal opportunity. Sure, that’s an ideal fantasy world, but screw it: I’m a fan, so I’ll draw up my dream cake the way I want it.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
In think when you're looking at playoff seding
at the end of the year and you have two points seperating you from a higher spot, that’s when you really have to question what those guys bring. They are only as good as the penalties they draw if your power play is effective. Not to mention the penalties you take if your PK is effective as well.
After a while you have to wonder if they are worth the trouble. I don’t think Avery is all that effective anymore as I think the Refs have caught on to his schtick. When it comes to calles where the beneift of the doubt really makes a difference I see guys like Avery losing those calls more often than not.
I don’t have a problem with the Agitator role. I think if it’s in the context of the game it’s just fine. Some of the guys they have in the game now filling that role just have a screw lose in their head. Goalies used to be off limits and the code protected them given that all the equipiment they wear makes the most incidental contact an injury risk. Avery loves that elbow drop to the back of the head when the goalie is down.
Kaleta’s bomb on Neilsen last night was just undisciplined and sloppy. You fill that role you have to be able to take as much as you give. Darius Kasparaitus was a pain in the neck but earned his respect by taking as much as he gave.
I think Avery is an independent study in his own right, much like Darcy Tucker…..primarily because they’re more than agitators, they’re dirty players who have been shown time and again to be more than willing to intentionally injure people. Guys like Kaleta and Barnaby might do stupid things sometimes, but I’ve never seen either of them deliberately try and hurt somebody.
Also, if you draw significantly more penalties than you take, how affective your PP and PK are is pretty irrelevant in most circumstances. The discrepancy between the #1 ranked PP/PK units and the #30 ranked PP/PK units definitely aren’t large enough to offset a +40 margin in penalty plus/minus. Kaleta’s number is an extreme example, but I think it holds in general.
Consider also that the more time you spend on the PP, the less time your opponent has to score.
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 5, 2009 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
avery and tucker have their place in hockey – usually in the box
BUT, the isles aren’t immune, we had under our employ a certain goon because he was of the same native tribe as our head coach, even if he was completely out of his mind 75% of the time
i miss the good old days of pilon and mick, even the domi/bomber wars had a weird kind of purity to it… the last 10-12 years players have massively crossed the line in many cases and it brings nothing positive to the game
why isn't #16 hanging in the rafters?
i miss the good old days of pilon and mick, even the domi/bomber wars had a weird kind of purity to it…
Haha, well put.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
I don’t think Avery is all that effective anymore as I think the Refs have caught on to his schtick.
Ironically, there’s something about him behaving that makes him less effective as an actual hockey player, too. Which I love. If you cannot succeed at your job without being an absolute, Grade A tool, then you have more problems than hockey can solve.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
I don’t feel the Sabres deserve to be 9 and 2. I feel they and Miller are overrated.
by LI2Brnx on Nov 5, 2009 9:03 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Really? I mean, granted a .792 points percentage is a little flattering and unsustainable, but I’d say they’re pretty good.
People forget they were in the middle of the playoff seeds last year before Miller went down. And adding Grier and Montador to the existing group were pretty smooth moves.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Thanks for the rep, Dom. Don’t forget that Vanek was hurt in that same time frame, meaning the Sabres went 11 games down the stretch without their two best players (and went something like 3-6-2, dropping from 4th in the conference to 9th). This is still a young Sabres team which has a lot of players just hitting their primes, and Ryan Miller gets better every season. Young players on defence are making a big impact, and, as you say, the veteran presence of Grier and Montador is really helping.
We’ll see what happens when they play Washington, Pittsburgh, and Philly, but the Sabres went 4-6-2 (0-4 vs Philly :o) against those teams last year, which isn’t terrible considering they missed the playoffs. And this year’s team is a good deal better than last year’s. So we’ll see how that develops, starting Friday.
There’s no reason to believe the Sabres can’t win a weak Northeast division and make some serious noise in the playoffs this year though.
by HarryNeale'sGarden on Nov 5, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
I forgot about Vanek’s injury. I remembered that they were submarined by injuries (we know a thing or two about what that’s like), but man that’s a nasty 1-2 punch.
I’d love for the Sabres to win the NE. More through default dislike for the rest of the division, but still: Take it away, Sabres, take it away!
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
I am picking them to win their division and...
the way the Caps have been playing, the #2 seed. After that, it’s mostly a question of how good Miller is. They could be one and done or they could go to the Conference Finals. Don’t see anyone in the East getting past Pitt.
Ok I read that the Sabers put in a little extra practice time to figure out how to beat the Isles PK but I did not expect them to get a goal in the first 5 seconds of the first PP. That was a bit silly. Then to watch the flat-footed defenders/backcheckers sit around in the neutral zone was just embarassing. I taped the game and kind of got the gist of how this was going to play out when I noticed that the faceoffs from the first period were entirely skewed. Once I saw that they were beating us in draws by a gluttonous amount I was releived that we were only down by 2 at the time. To put forth such little effort and come away with only a 3 goal defecit…you have to thank Marty for that one. I just feel bad for him that he couldn’t win in Buffalo this year. That would have been nice for him.
As for that 3rd goal, perhaps they should test the guys in Toronto for eye hand coordination to see what kind of motor/psychological disfunctions they possess. If that is not the answer perhaps they should see if any of them were involved with Tocchet approximately 3 years ago or see if they are friends with Tim Donaghy. Who is in charge of the review, Colin Campbell? Maybe it is just me but it seems that your proximity to Canada seems to play a part in those decisions. The closer you are the more likely you are to win the review. I am somewhat kidding on this one.
Not to get political but....
The Isles streak ended when Kate Murray was re-elected as chief roadblock. This game was just the physical representation of sport-imitating-life. Who knows, maybe Charles is negociating at this moment…
Ha! Good point. … and on the night the Yankees win the World Series (depending on your loyalties).
I do wonder if Charles has one hand negotiating and the other hand preparing his RFP for Queens.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Wang should....
have underlings laying the groundwork for Queens now but he should be making one last pitch to sell LightHouse with ToH. If they are still stalling on January 1, he should very publicly move forward on Queens. We need to have some agreement—whether with ToH or Queens—in place by this summer so that we will have a better chance of attracting FAs.
Yes, I’m a Mets fan as well. That WS felt like I had been riding a manual 2 man hand pumped car by myself in the wrong direction on the rails of a NYC subway line with an iPOD glued into my ears playing experimental Korean rock music stuck on a 10 second loop in the absolute worst part of the composition. I would usually say that I was cheering for the paramedics but in that case “no one wins because they are all losers.”
My apologies to Yankee fans but not to the Philly fans.
by metalcoconut on Nov 5, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
“God, no, not the experimental Korean rock music!!”
Epic description. I have drifted away from baseball*, so I tried to mostly block the whole series out.
*back when I was still paying attention, my rooting interests were with the Cardinals, so I apologize (again) for the Wainwright/Beltran pitch and for Yadier Molina, too. If it’s any help, she didn’t mean anything to me.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
It’s funny, the PK wasn’t awful, but that bad faceoff (one of many) combined with a towering Vanek screen led to one goal, and Bergenheim failed to clear when he had a chance before the other one, and all of the sudden the PKs’ been beaten twice.
The faceoffs really were awful, so much so I wonder if Buffalo did their own faceoff video work between games to assess what the Isles were doing.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Here’s hoping they can still take the Devils and Thrashers off guard.
the devs are rarely taken off guard by any team, i wonder if marty remembers how well KO has done in his young career vs him so far… (4 goals in 7 games i think)
side note, anyone going tomorrow? i’m debating training it in from work???
Ahem:
March 6, 2009. 7-3, including 3-0 in the first period.
Feb. 21, 2009: 4-0.
Hey, I’m just sayin’, somebody was taken off guard. ;)
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
touche sir… i did say rarely though, marty was terrible in that 7 goal game i remember and i think danis stood on his head in the shutout
wait, that was bergie’s trick game right? go pull the tape of that game gordo!!!
Haha, no I know you’re right. Those were so stunning — I think I’m still stunned — that I just had to dig them up.
I think Sutter’s Devils were more likely to be surprised than Lemaire’s, too. Lemaire’s such a control freak; Sutter is controlling, too, but he also has that old-school, “you brats ought to be able to change your own diaper” attitude to him, whereas Lemaire is more “I will change every diaper myself and I will make sure the safety pins are in the exact orientation conducive to team success.”
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
This team was just out of gas
They were playing a Buffalo team on five days rest while the Isles were coming off their fifth game in eight days.
In all honesty Buffalo outplayed us but they didn’t play well. The Islanders were a step off on each play and could not get up to speed. Also, having Witt and Weight as key peiced of your team while they up there in years does not help in a schedule like this.
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Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
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Philadelphia
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Tue 02/07 | 7:00 PM EST |
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Montreal
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Thu 02/09 | 7:00 PM EST |
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Los Angeles
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Sat 02/11 | 1:00 PM EST |
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Florida
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Sun 02/12 | 3:00 PM EST |
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Winnipeg
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Tue 02/14 | 8:30 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
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Buffalo
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Sat 02/04 | SO - L 3 - 4 |
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Ottawa
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Fri 02/03 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
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Carolina
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Tue 01/31 | W 5 - 2 |
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Toronto
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Tue 01/24 | OT - L 3 - 4 |
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@
Toronto
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Mon 01/23 | L 0 - 3 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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New York Rangers
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50 | 33 | 12 | 5 | 71 |
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Philadelphia
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52 | 30 | 16 | 6 | 66 |
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Pittsburgh
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53 | 30 | 19 | 4 | 64 |
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New Jersey
|
52 | 30 | 19 | 3 | 63 |
|
New York Islanders
|
51 | 21 | 22 | 8 | 50 |
(updated 2.5.2012 at 4:42 PM EST)
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