Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to NY IslandersCountry. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
NYI @ Buffalo; season opener
Topic Started: Oct 3 2005, 10:55 PM (1,329 Views)
NYI4LIFE
Unregistered

http://www.forecaster.ca/hockeynews/hockey...NYI&oppTeam=Buf
Quote Post Goto Top
 
IslanderQueen
Unregistered

funny!!

it has Cliff Ronning (38.5) as our oldest player
:rofl:
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Webb20
Member Avatar
Godfather
NY Islanders at Buffalo
Posted ImageVSPosted Image

Quote:
 
GAME: New York Islanders (38-29-11-4) at Buffalo Sabres (37-34-7-4).

TIME: Wednesday, 7:05 p.m. EDT.

Few teams are putting more faith into the NHL's new rules than the New York Islanders.

After putting together what appears to be a quicker, more skilled club, the new-look Islanders face their first test when they open the season against the Buffalo Sabres.

Following first-round playoff exits in each of the past three seasons, the Islanders, with the help of the NHL's new salary cap, reshaped their team with several players more suited to the league's new up-tempo style.

General manager Mike Milbury brought in Miroslav Satan, Buffalo's leading goal scorer last season, to finally give newly appointed captain Alexei Yashin a legitimate sniper on his wing. Milbury also dealt former captain Michael Peca to Edmonton for speedy center Mike York, sacrificing grit and character for speed and skill.

With the additions of Satan and York, the Islanders should be deep at forward with several players capable of reaching the 30-goal mark. Yashin has scored 40 goals twice, Mark Parrish has at least 20 goals in three straight seasons, Jason Blake has 47 the past two years and Trent Hunter tied for the team lead with 25 goals in his rookie campaign.

Where the Islanders underwent their biggest transformation is on defense, where they lost arguably three of their top four players. Roman Hamrlik signed with Calgary, Adrian Aucoin left for Chicago and Kenny Jonsson opted to remain in his native Sweden.

Being counted on to fill the void left by that trio is Alexei Zhitnik, who spent the past nine-plus seasons with Buffalo, Brent Sopel, acquired from Vancouver, and Brad Lukowich, a member of Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay in 2003-04. They join Janne Niinimaa and Radek Martinek on the Islanders' blueline.

"You never like to say goodbye to good players and people like them, but you have to do what's best for your team and forge on with your plan," Milbury said. "That started with our signing of Alexei Zhitnik. This is an excellent player that we're fortunate to bring on long-term."

After Yashin, the Islanders' most important player is goaltender Rick DiPietro, who solidified himself as one of the league's rising stars with a strong season in 2003-04.

DiPietro, the top overall pick in the 2000 draft, is one of league's most adept puck movers. It remains to be seen if that skill will make him a liability or help the offense as the league implements new rules to restrict where goaltenders are allowed to play the puck.

Satan and Zhitnik, two of the Islanders' key acquisitions, had been two of the Sabres' best players for years. Replacing them should make it even harder for Buffalo to end a streak of three straight last-place finishes.

Although they missed the postseason in 2003-04, the Sabres did finish above .500 and do have several young players that should only get better with experience.

Making up for the offense that Satan provided will be the biggest task for Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff.

Top center Daniel Briere led the team with 28 goals and 37 assists for a career-high 65 points in 2003-04. He played very well for Bern in Switzerland in 2004-05 and will be asked to carry much of the offensive load this season.

The Sabres did compensate for Zhitnik's absence, signing veteran defenseman Teppo Numminen and acquiring Toni Lydman from Calgary.

Without Satan, even more will be expected from forwards Chris Drury, Jochen Hecht, J.P. Dumont and Maxim Afinogenov.

The versatile Drury had 18 goals in 76 games in 2003-04, Hecht added 15 goals and 37 assists in 64 contests and Dumont contributed 22 goals. Despite a great deal of talent, Afinogenov has yet to have a breakout season as he was limited to 17 goals and 31 points in 73 games in 2003-04.

Goaltending is one area where the Sabres are as deep as any team in the league. Ryan Miller, Martin Biron and Mika Noronen are all capable, but Buffalo will only keep two on its active roster.

Biron has been the starter the past three years and had a solid 2003-04 season, while Noronen has been a standout at the AHL level. Miller is coming off an outstanding AHL season with Rochester in 2004-05, posting a 41-17 record with four shootout losses and a 2.45 goals-against average in 63 appearances.

"I've worked hard to make myself a valuable asset to this team," Miller said. "I want to establish myself as a consistent performer at this level."

The Islanders won all four meetings in 2003-04, and have won seven in a row against the Sabres.

2003-04 STANDINGS: Islanders - 91 points, 3rd place, 10 PB, Atlantic Division. Sabres - 85 points, 5th place, 19 PB, Northeast Division.

2003-04 TEAM LEADERS: Islanders - Hunter and Mariusz Czerkawski, 25 goals; Oleg Kvasha, 36 assists; Hunter and Kvasha, 51 points; Eric Cairns, 189 PIM. Sabres - Satan, 29 goals; Briere and Hecht, 37 assists; Briere, 65 points; Andrew Peters, 151 PIM.

2003-04 SPECIAL TEAMS: Islanders - Power play: 16.7 percent (54 for 323), 12th in NHL. Penalty killing: 85.5 percent (307 for 359), 5th. Sabres - Power play: 15.8 percent (58 for 367), 18th. Penalty killing: 84.7 percent (295 for 348), 11th.

2003-04 GOALTENDERS: Islanders - DiPietro (23-18-5, 5 SO, 2.36 GAA); Garth Snow (14-15-5, 1, 2.80). Sabres - Miller (0-3-0, 5.06); Biron (26-18-5, 2, 2.52); Noronen (11-17-2, 2, 2.57).

2003-04 SEASON SERIES: Islanders, 4-0.

LAST MEETING: Feb. 27, 2004; Islanders, 4-2. At Buffalo, N.Y., Kvasha had a goal and two assists, and DiPietro made 19 of his career-high 42 saves in the third period to lead the Islanders.

2003-04 ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Islanders - 13-18-7-3 on the road; Sabres - 21-13-4-3 at home.



Can you taste it?
I sold it all, retired and moved to Fabulous Las Vegas!
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."-Ben Franklin
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."-Ronald Reagan
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
smittyrules31
Member Avatar
Repeat a lie frequently enough....
Less than 12 hours to go until this nightmare is offically over!

It feels very good to once again say:

LET'S GO ISLANDERS!
Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge: fitter to bruise than polish.

Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.

In the beginning, the Universe was created. This made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
4CUPZ
Member Avatar
HEAD OF SECURITY
THAT IT DOES SMITTY
TO THE BOYS
:cheers: :punk: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :cup: :happy:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
7th Woman
Member Avatar
All Star
FINALLY!!!!

I wonder how many games I can tape at once?????

:D
Posted Image
NY Islanders 7th Woman
JOURNAL UPDATED NOT QUITE AS OFTEN AS POINT BLANK

<p style="margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:0; padding-bottom:0; text-align:center; line-height:0"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/FcwQ/~6/1"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/FcwQ.1.gif" alt="NY Islanders 7th Woman" style="border:0"></a></p>
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
bodnar27
Member Avatar
4th line
I was half tempted to call in sick today ... I'm too damned pumped to work today! I even wore my Islanders jersey to work today haha Welp...back to watching the clock.... 9 hours 42 minutes to go! (but who's counting :P )

Let's make it 8 in a row over these Sabres!!!
Posted ImageLet's go ISLANDERS!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
IslanderQueen
Unregistered

I totally know whatcha mean-- about taking today off--

I wore my pluto sparkly shirt - pluto is wearing skates holding a hockey stick and wearing a bucket.... :D


I love the countdown!! :banana:
Quote Post Goto Top
 
trailertrash
Member Avatar
You know what time it is... yeaaaa booy!
I have to split my time between the Isles and B's games tonight.
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
7th Woman
Member Avatar
All Star
I lucked out.
Daughter is home from school, so I had to work from home.

yeah...

'work'...

sure...

no problem... I'm on it....
Posted Image
NY Islanders 7th Woman
JOURNAL UPDATED NOT QUITE AS OFTEN AS POINT BLANK

<p style="margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:0; padding-bottom:0; text-align:center; line-height:0"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/FcwQ/~6/1"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/FcwQ.1.gif" alt="NY Islanders 7th Woman" style="border:0"></a></p>
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
IslanderQueen
Unregistered

i need that kind of job i can WORK from home :blink:
Quote Post Goto Top
 
sybo
Member Avatar
Resident Wiseass, Neighborhood Candyman, Master Drunkard
Zhitnik & Satan better rub their faces in it tonight !!!!

LET'S DO THIS !!!!!!!!!!
Garth Snow circa 2006:
Quote:
 
but how can you not be excited about DiPietro…Robert Nilsson…Ryan O'Marra…Petteri Nokelainen…Jeremy Colliton…Kyle Okposo…Blake Comeau…Sean Bergenheim…Chris Campoli…and so many others.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
bodnar27
Member Avatar
4th line
7 Hours 36 minutes

Jesus H this day is too long already B)
Posted ImageLet's go ISLANDERS!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NYI4LIFE
Unregistered

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!!!! wahooooooo lets go islanders!!!
Quote Post Goto Top
 
sybo
Member Avatar
Resident Wiseass, Neighborhood Candyman, Master Drunkard
NYI4LIFE,Oct 5 2005
02:37 PM
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!!!!! wahooooooo lets go islanders!!!

I am predicting about 200 posts for U today alone...
Garth Snow circa 2006:
Quote:
 
but how can you not be excited about DiPietro…Robert Nilsson…Ryan O'Marra…Petteri Nokelainen…Jeremy Colliton…Kyle Okposo…Blake Comeau…Sean Bergenheim…Chris Campoli…and so many others.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
IslanderQueen
Unregistered

if we could find a way to bottle up this feeling and sell it!!

we would be rich!!
Quote Post Goto Top
 
NYI4LIFE
Unregistered

sybo,Oct 5 2005
09:41 AM
I am predicting about 200 posts for U today alone...

thanks sybo :thumbsup:

actually i'm going to be pretty calm today.
Quote Post Goto Top
 
Webb20
Member Avatar
Godfather
NYI4LIFE,Oct 5 2005
10:47 AM

actually i'm going to be pretty calm today.

Yeah, right :lol:
I sold it all, retired and moved to Fabulous Las Vegas!
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."-Ben Franklin
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."-Ronald Reagan
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
sybo
Member Avatar
Resident Wiseass, Neighborhood Candyman, Master Drunkard
Webb20,Oct 5 2005
02:50 PM
NYI4LIFE,Oct 5 2005
10:47 AM

actually i'm going to be pretty calm today.

Yeah, right :lol:

I say somewhere around 4:00....his fingers are gonna be bleeding :rolleyes:
Garth Snow circa 2006:
Quote:
 
but how can you not be excited about DiPietro…Robert Nilsson…Ryan O'Marra…Petteri Nokelainen…Jeremy Colliton…Kyle Okposo…Blake Comeau…Sean Bergenheim…Chris Campoli…and so many others.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Webb20
Member Avatar
Godfather
sybo,Oct 5 2005
10:55 AM
Webb20,Oct 5 2005
02:50 PM
NYI4LIFE,Oct 5 2005
10:47 AM

actually i'm going to be pretty calm today.

Yeah, right :lol:

I say somewhere around 4:00....his fingers are gonna be bleeding :rolleyes:

But that's what makes him NYI4LIFE. He's exicted, dedicated and he's ours. :cheers:

I sold it all, retired and moved to Fabulous Las Vegas!
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."-Ben Franklin
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."-Ronald Reagan
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Gameday · Next Topic »
Add Reply