Predictions for this Islanders/Sabres series? I'd think Buffalo in five, six max. Anyone think the Isles have a (realistic) shot at upsetting the league's highest scoring team and President Cup winners?

if you have access to the game, u can see it here:

http://www.comcast.net/sports/nhl/hockeylive/

Drury was unstoppable.

Yeah, true.. ya know, from day one of his career, I always thought of Drury as a HUGE big game player... he may disappear for stretches in the regular season, but when the game is on the line, he is one guy I believe can be unstoppable..

That, and the trivia about him being the only player in the NHL to have won the Little League World Series...

Yeah, I did a double-take when I saw the ESPN classic episode about his team. IIRC, they didn't even spend much time playing up the fact that a current NHLer won the LLWS.

Way too many acronyms in this post.

Drury is going to make a loadddd this off-season if he keeps playing throughout the playoffs like he did tonight.

That's one.

A few observations from the game:

- Drury played well, as was noted, but was also the recipient of some great playmaking by his linemates.
- Connolly's really injected some life into the Bufallo PP, he's a much better QB than Pominville, although at the end of the second Ruff threw 5 forwards out on the PP, with Poms and Connolly working the point. The guys are really glad to have him back.
- Briere was kind of nonexistant tonight (as was his line), but it didn't really matter so nothing was made of it.
- Zubrus is an absolute beast down-low, his line with Kotalik and Drury is going to be dynamite throughout the playoffs.
- The Islanders got physically beat, something that simply cannot happen if they're going to survive this series.
- Dipietro will dress Saturday, but what he'll be able to accomplish is anyone's guess. Other than the third goal Dubielewivc played very well and kept his team in it with a couple of nice saves and good positioning.
- In poker it's called fancy play syndrome, I don't know what the hockey equivelent is, but the Sabres were guilty of it at times.
- Afinogenov is absolutely sick with the puck, but he also takes some unneccesary chances, two of which could have cost Buffalo tonight but nothing happened.
- Ryan Smyth really couldn't get anything going, either could Yashin or Satan (although Satan at least showed some creativity with the puck).
- Bergeron might just be the most over-rated offensive d-man in the eastern conference, I've seen him play three times now and have become increasingly less impressed each time.
- Spacek was awfully fiesty tonight for some reason, if he keeps it up it's definately good for Buffalo.
- Nolan was surprisingly calm after the game, I really think he expected to lose this game 100%.

My observation.
Buffalo dominted and although the Islanders tied up the game at one point. The Sabres responded the next shift to get their lead back. I would be surprised if the islanders can pull off 2 games in the series. Sabres in 4-5.

I really liked how the Sabres played last night, coming into the playoffs i was a little worried about the defense/goaltending situation, but everyone looked sharp last night. If they keep it up, this series will last 5 games Tops.

The Sabres are a good team however if you think the ISLES will go down in four , you will be shocked...Dipietro will be back and if they win Game 2 in Buffalo they have a huge momentum going home...


Its not as clear cut as most people see it.

but you know eh Serge

If DiPietro was capable of winning games by himself, maybe the US team would have stood half a chance in the Olympics. He won't make that much of an impact, certainly not enough to put his career on the line after two concussions in one week.

Sabres in 4.

Why'd you take the link away?

lol only gruven knows.

Something about a town near Peterborough?????

I have relatives in Lindsay, ON.

That's ruff....

It's actually spelt rough, you spell like Serge.

The link's right here, what's the problem?

Great article Nate, nice job!

I'm so completely jealous of your press credentials.

anyone care to make any bets on tonight's outcome? I say Sabres 5-2.

4-3 Islanders in OT

I'd like to see DiPietro perform well, but Buffalo still take it down as I've got money on them for every game of this series.

Oh no 1-0 NYI

The Islanders will take this series long and will surprise everyone...They can win this series..

1-0 ISLES..WOOTTT

nice hand...2-0 Islanders and Dipietro made a HUGE save...

Isles are looking good...

Maybe next year Buffalo

lol... wait until Buffalo wakes up.

Why is everyone underestimating the Islanders...I would love to see NOLAN stick it to the Sabres...Dipietro is looking great, the series goes deep...sorry Nate but thats the truth...

I only need the Islanders to win one.

$$$

great game for the isles

yesssssssss

Winner winner, PM me your Paypal info or where you'd like a check (cheque?) sent.

You think the Isles were the better team after the first fifteen minutes? Not a chance, this is why I said Buffalo in 5, because they had to take them completely for granted for one game (or part thereof), and now that that's happened, no more play time for the Sabres.

See previous post re: overconfidence.....

PM received, payment sent via Paypal.

Congrats!

Got it...thanks.

Buffalo in 5.

The highest scoring team and president cup winners....... but you put "do you believe" in the original post sounds confident....
I believe Jason Blake gets a hat trick tonight... 2-1 advantage for the isles

I think you are right...Dipietro played unbeliavable on Saturday...If he plays solid the Isles can stay with this team...I dont see the Sabres going very far in the playoffs...I am not sold on Miller and they seem to be lacking the toughness that is required to win a Stanley Cup..

'Do You Believe' is their playoff slogan.

You want to put money on the Islanders Serge?

with the correct odds yes..Obviously not at even money....

True. Also, the Leafs have a cool playoff slogan..... "Can We Play Through Your Foursome"

Wicked.....

(Sorry, I'm in a joking mood as I collected three of my preseason 'Leafs wont make the playoffs' bets yesterday!

total domination by the Islanders right now..Unfortunately no goals....

$25

even odds

series is tied and the Islanders are dominating

no..not fair...even odds...at least 4-1...its 1 vs 8

LMAO

1 vs 8 means nothing. That's based on the regular season. This is a whole new season.

at least 4-1 BWAHAHAHAHAHA

Which is it Serge? Islanders domination or Buffalo 4-1 favorites?

This isn't multiple guess, you either believe one or the other.

Islanders really are dominating. If the Sabres play like this consistently they could easily end up losing the series. That being said, I'd be more concerned if the Sabres were being physically dominated by the Isles, but they're not, they're simply being outworked.

If the Sabres get their head out of their asses I still think they'll take three in a row, but I really didn't expect them to play so uninspired for so long. I predicted five games originaly because I thought that a one game let down would be inevitable, but I thought that game would come in Long Island in game three after they took the first two at home, and I thought after the loss they'd come out firing on all cylinders.

I'm very surprised at how flat they came out this game, like Serge said they're lucky it's tied right now. Skill wise I still don't believe it's at all close, other than Dipietro v. Miller where I think the Isles have maybe a 10% edge.

I obviously want the Islanders to win...But I am not betting them even money..

by the way, I meant they were totally dominating the 1st period...As a Sabres fan you have to be worried at how flat the Sabres look...