The Buffalo Sabres will be seeking to exact some revenge
tonight when they welcome the streaking New York Islanders for a battle at
HSBC Arena.
These clubs met Saturday on Long Island and the Islanders breezed to a 5-0
victory over the visiting Sabres. That was the third straight win for New
York, and the Isles made it four in a row with Monday's home victory against
the Edmonton Oilers.
Tonight already marks the third meeting between the Isles and Sabres this
year, as Buffalo kicked off the season series with a 6-3 home win on October
16. The Sabres have taken five of eight overall from New York and the Isles
have dropped two straight, three of four and seven of their last nine games in
Buffalo.
The Sabres had a four-game winning streak snapped in Saturday's loss at Nassau
Coliseum and the Islanders also dealt Northeast Division-leading Buffalo just
its second regulation setback of the season. Former Sabre Martin Biron made 38
saves for his 200th career win and Jeff Tambellini recorded his first career
hat trick to lift the Isles to the easy win over their Empire State rivals.
Ryan Miller started in net, but was pulled after giving up three goals on 16
shots for the Sabres. Patrick Lalime finished the game between the pipes and
was charged with two goals on 14 shots. Miller, who is 9-7-0 in 16 career
games against the Islanders, is expected to get the start again tonight.
Buffalo forwards Paul Gaustad and Patrick Kaleta have been battling flu-like
symptoms recently, but both could be back on the ice tonight. Kaleta missed
the last game with the illness, but is probable for this evening's contest.
Gaustad has sat out the Sabres' last two outings and is questionable.
The Sabres are 4-1-1 as the host this year and will also welcome Philadelphia
on Friday to complete a brief two-game homestand.
The Islanders had just one win on the season prior to putting together their
current win streak. New York is coming off a 3-1 win over the Oilers as
defenseman Brendan Witt recorded his first career two-goal game and Dwayne
Roloson made 22 saves to lead the Isles. Rookie center John Tavares also
scored for the Islanders
Witt, in his 14th NHL campaign, had never before scored more than three goals
in a single season. His pair of scores gave him 25 for his career, and his
last goal came in a January 22, 2008 contest against Carolina.
"Throughout a year, you're going to get your bad bounces and you're going to
get your lucky bounces," Witt said. "So take 'em as they come, and I thought
we played pretty hard tonight, pretty disciplined. Just keep this thing
rolling."
The Isles have already matched their season-high win streak from last year
and, with a win tonight, can post their longest stretch of consecutive wins
since a six-game tear from February 12-21, 2008.
Biron is expected to get the start for the Islanders tonight. He is 7-2-1 with
a 2.89 goals-against average in 11 career games against his former club.
The Isles are just 1-2-3 as the visiting team this year, but did earn its only
road win in Friday's meeting with Washington.
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