It wasn't a "must-win game" in the "you're-about-to-be-eliminated" sense, but it was big. The New York Islanders were trailing in their series against the President's Trophy winning Buffalo Sabres before Game 4. As it stands, that same sentence would be accurate by simply changing it to Game 5.
The game had a feverish pace from the start, each team playing as though it was the series clincher. A first-period skirmish in front of Buffalo's goalie, Ryan Miller, turned into a scrappy goal for Islander winger Jason Blake. Shortly after, a face-off win by Sabre Derek Roy lead to a Thomas Vanek goal through the traffic obstructing Isle net-minder Rick DiPietro.
The playoffs — in any sport — are remarkable at rejuvenating a player's best game. The fourth game between Buffalo and New York was a bout of hustlers. New York played to even the series at two, Buffalo to come one game closer to the second round for the sixth time in 10 postseasons. Perhaps both teams were trying to channel the energy of legends Brian Trottier and former Islander and Sabre Pat LaFontaine, both of whom were in the stands for Game 4.[1] Both of whom have substantial experience in postseason theatrics.
A bulk of the first period was played around the nets. The second Buffalo goal developed from a tight battle behind the net where Dainius Zubrus flexed his puck control skills and slid some backhand sauce to Chris Drury. [2]
It was the kind of sloppy goal pretty players have to score to win playoff games. The otherwise graceful, finesse players are forced to apply some elbow grease and expected to take a few beatings to earn a goal. The key word: earn. Then again, Chris Drury knows a few things about gritty playoff goals.
"This series has been a sleeping giant," said one former NHLer/current color commentator whose name is of little importance.
It truly has; only it shouldn't be. Last season, that sleeping giant in Edmonton known as the Oilers sailed all the way to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals, leaving behind a nimiety of upsets floating in its wake. Why would underestimating an Islander team that didn't learn of its playoff birth until the last day of the season, after winning some huge games down the stretch, make any sense? Was there any doubt their vigor would weaken once a playoff spot was clinched?
Many teams thrive under the pressure of being an underdog. At times, being the favorite brings more pressure because there is more to lose. That's why low seeds can be labeled "sleepers," because their drive to leave that label behind is often overlooked. But Wednesday was not a night for awakening giants. Buffalo, although leading by only a goal with under two minutes left, capitalized on its superiority by turning an errant pass and a costly turnover into a solidifying goal before New York could even pull its goalie.
Buffalo: 4. Broken DiPietro stick: 1.
This Eastern Conference quarterfinal is top-heavy with Buffalo dominance, but to say it's been that way on the ice would be a disservice to the effort and heart of both teams. Buffalo's three wins did not come easy, nor will the next one it needs to advance to the semifinals.
The Islanders are now prepping for their actual "must-win game." They must find a way to turn their diligence into goals. Defensive zone turnovers and needless penalties will not delay the final blow the Sabres will certainly be aiming for on Friday night at HSBC Arena. It's now time for Rick DiPietro to earn that 15-year, $65 million contract he inked nine months ago.
Time is tight. The Isle defense has a tough encounter ahead, and forwards like Ryan Smyth, Alexei Yashin, and Richard Zednik need to score more goals and back-check faster. And if recent history is any indicator, they will. The only problem is that Buffalo's Daniel Briere, Jason Pominville, Maxim Afinogenov, and company might have something to say about it.
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[1]: Trottier is Executive Director of Player Personnel for the NYI.
[2]: It begs the question: how happy is Dainius Zubrus to be out of Washington? He has truly taken advantage of his trade from the third worst team to the very best.
April 21, 2007
Debbie:
Great article and very well written