Game Preview: New York Islanders at Buffalo Sabres 2/23/13
Saturday, 02.23.2013 / 12:00 AM
/ News
By Travis Betts
PrintNew York Islanders 7-9-1 (15 points – 5th in Atlantic Division, 12th in Eastern Conference) 5-3-1 road |
Buffalo Sabres 6-11-1 (13 points - 5th in Northeast Division, 14th in Eastern Conference) 3-6-0 home |
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| 7:00 p.m. First Niagara Center Buffalo, NY Television: MSG+ Howie Rose: Play-by-play, Butch Goring: Color Radio: WHRU 88.7 FM Chris King: Play-by-play |
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| Season series (0-1-0) The Islanders lost the only matchup between the two teams so far this season 3-2 on Feb. 9. The Islanders outshot Buffalo 43-15 in that game, which also marked the season debuts of Josh Bailey and Lubomir Visnovsky. Colin McDonald scored his first goal as an Islander, and Brian Strait registered two assists. Feb. 9, 2013: BUF 3, NYI 2 - RECAP, BOX SCORE, HIGHLIGHTS |
Sabres player to watch Jason Pominville - Right WingHe has just one goal in his last eight games, but Jason Pominville ranks second on the Sabres in scoring with 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 18 games. The Repentigny, QC native has played all 559 games of his NHL career in a Sabres uniform, posting 20-goal campaigns in each of his last six seasons. |
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| Islanders Storylines •The Islanders’ 5-3-1 road record matches their second-best road record through nine games in the past 25 years •Evgeni Nabokov posted an assist on Feb. 21 at Ottawa, tying his career high with three assists on the season •Thomas Hickey joined Radek Martinek as the only players in Islanders history to score their first NHL goal in overtime •Matt Moulson posted his sixth multi-point game of the season on Feb. 21 at Ottawa (two goals) |
The Matchup | |||
| Islanders 25.4% (18/71) 83.3 (50/60) 50 60 3-7-0 |
Power play Penalty kill Goals for Goals against Last 10 games |
Sabres 12.3% (8/65) 79.4% (58/73) 48 59 3-7-0 |
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| New York Islanders projected lines Forwards 26 Matt Moulson - 91 John Tavares - 24 Brad Boyes 12 Josh Bailey - 51 Frans Nielsen - 10 Keith Aucoin 40 Michael Grabner - 16 Marty Reasoner - 21 Kyle Okposo 17 Matt Martin - 53 Casey Cizikas - 13 Colin McDonald Defensemen 3 Travis Hamonic - 47 Andrew MacDonald 14 Thomas Hickey - 11 Lubomir Visnovsky 2 Mark Streit - 52 Joe Finley Goaltenders 20 Evgeni Nabokov |
Buffalo Sabres projected lines Forwards 26 Thomas Vanek - 19 Cody Hodgson - 29 Jason Pominville 82 Marcus Foligno - 63 Tyler Ennis - 21 Drew Stafford 42 Nathan Gerbe - 9 Steve Ott - 55 Jochen Hecht 32 John Scott - 12 Kevin Porter - 36 Patrick Kaleta Defensemen 10 Christian Ehrhoff - 52 Alexander Sulzer 24 Robyn Regehr - 57 Tyler Myers 6 Mike Weber - 33 TJ Brennen Goaltenders 30 Ryan Miller 1 Jhonas Enroth |
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Quote of the Day “It probably feels sweeter with time than if I would have gotten it a while ago,” Hickey said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work, and there’s been a lot of doubt, but I stayed confident and I’m fortunate to have an opportunity to play here. To do it in this building is pretty special.” Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey, |
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