Two Points- the wrong way
Posted 10:24 PM ET | Comments 0
Two points. That's the stat that matters here. But, as Harry Neale put it, "The Sabres got two points the hard way, when they should've had them the easy way." Everyone at the HSBC Arena thought that Clarke MacArthur was the hero with his goal in the third period, as it gave Buffalo seeming insurance and a 3-1 lead. Key word: they thought he was the hero. Behold, with about 2:45 remaining, he takes a penalty that essentially costs the Sabres that lead. Many fans at the game, myself included, flooded the exits at that point, as many thought Buffalo had the game locked up. On the insuing power play, Mike Comrie beats Ryan Miller with Joey MacDonald on the bench. After that, Pominville misses the empty net and, to add insult to injury, the Islanders rush it back and tie the game. Now, I still give New York credit for coming back, but, if you read my blogs last year, the Sabres lose their defensive awareness in those clutch scenarios when they're up two goals. In my opinion, even giving up those two late goals, Ryan Miller stole the show at times. Not every goalie can handle a two-on-one late in overtime. The Sabres finally decided to show up in the shootout. Kotalik scored on his patented forehand-to-backhand move, and Stafford scored after MacDonald missed a poke check. Ryan Miller stoned Park and Okposo (two rather odd choices in my opinion) to seal the win. Again, the only stat that matters: two Buffalo points.