SabresBeat

'"It wasn't the type of hockey we've been playing, that's for sure," Sabres defenseman Toni Lydman said after the Islanders evened the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at 1-1. "There's no easy games, and it's only going to get harder. I hope we've learned our lesson."' … [Read more...] about Reality check for Sabres

'Owner Charles Wang used his private jet to fly goaltender Rick DiPietro in to Buffalo, hoping his franchise goalie would be the difference in a series that still sees the Sabres as an overwhelming favorite. It was the kind of thing a power-hungry technology tycoon might do to impress his buddies in the Hamptons.' … [Read more...] about Islanders give another lesson on not using your head

'The Islanders hadn’t scored in their first six power plays of the postseason, but did so soon after a call on winger Maxim Afinogenov. As he backchecked Miroslav Satan in the neutral zone, Afinogenov appeared to have pulled the puck cleanly from Satan, but as he turned up ice, Afinogenov pulled on Satan’s body lightly with his stick.' … [Read more...] about Isles get winner on power play

With DiPietro Back in the Islanders’ Crease, Buffalo Folds (New York Times) Slick Rick, Isles foil Sabres (New York Daily News) In a Rick of Time! (New York Post) DP's return is great equalizer (New York Newsday) Isles are different with DiPietro (New York Newsday) Getting familiar: Yashin demoted (New York Newsday) Simon can't play, but he can cheer (New York … [Read more...] about Sunday’s New York Coverage

'With the two of the best goalies in the NHL going head-to-head last night, the only way to win is a pile up in front and that's why defencemen have six of the eight goals so far.' … [Read more...] about DiPietro makes a difference

'By winning Game 2, the Islanders stole home-ice advantage from the Presidents' Trophy winner and head home with momentum, and a less nervous, less rusty DiPietro. "You take any No.1 goalie from any team in this league, that's a big loss," said Islanders coach Ted Nolan.' … [Read more...] about DiPietro breathes new life into N.Y.

'But the Sabres let the Islanders regain the lead when they ran into penalty trouble midway through the third period. This was not the way the sellout crowd of 18,690 saw it, though. The fans were enraged when Sabres winger Maxim Afinogenov was called for hooking and apoplectic when Islanders defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron scored on the power play to put the Islanders ahead.' … [Read more...] about DiPietro returns to lead Islanders past Sabres

'And, of course, the Islanders showed discipline. The Sabres have a deadly power play, but the Islanders gave them only eight minutes, seven seconds with the man advantage.' … [Read more...] about DiPietro not the whole difference for Isles

'The Sabres didn't play with the same efficiency as in their 4-1 win on Thursday. And they didn't resemble the team that led the NHL with 53 wins and 308 goals. "Hey, they want to win, too," Sabres goalie Ryan Miller said of the Islanders. "We have to forget about that first period and use it as motivation."' … [Read more...] about NY Islanders 3, Buffalo 2

'The Sabres were down, 2-1, to start the third period, but tied the game at the 2:12 mark as during a furious scrum in front that saw several shots on net. Kalinin finally put it in for his first career playoff goal. Several minutes later Maxim Afinogenov was called for hooking and the New York power play took advantage to take a 3-2 lead.' … [Read more...] about NY Islanders 3, Buffalo 2

'The Islanders looked dominant to start the game and would take the early lead as Trent Hunter scored just three minutes into the first. New York would make it 2-0 right off a face off on a point shot from Bruno Gervais. Buffalo finally got on the board as Thomas Vanek made a nice play behind the net and found Toni Lydman in front with just one minute left to make it 2-1 … [Read more...] about DiPietro Lifts Isles To 3-2 Win

'DiPietro, sidelined with a pair of concussions for the past nine games, stopped 32 shots versus the top-seeded Sabres to even this series at one game apiece.' … [Read more...] about DiPietro Sparks Islanders

'"They played better than us for the first 18 minutes of the game," said head coach Lindy Ruff. "We worked hard to get back in it, but then we took an undisciplined penalty when we had all the momentum that gave them an opportunity to take the lead again."' … [Read more...] about Slow Start Stops Momentum

'While Goliath was taking an early nap, David was busy at work with his slingshot, chipping away at a series deficit. Such was the case in Game Two of the first round matchup, pitting the heavily-favored and top-seeded Sabres against the underdog Islanders, as Buffalo failed to duplicate their opening period energy from Game One's victory against a revitalized New York squad … [Read more...] about ECQF # 2: Islanders 3, Sabres 2

'"DiPietro's competitive spirit really lifted up the team," said current Islanders' and former Sabres' head coach Ted Nolan. "He had a great game."' … [Read more...] about Series tied as DiPietro does the trick for Islanders