Tavares Show Travels to Buffalo

Verses: New York Islanders

Buffalo Sabres Record: 3-0-1

New York Islanders Record: 0-1-3

Sabres Record Vs Islanders Since 2005: 11-5

Sabres Likely Goalie: Ryan Miller

Islanders Likely Goalie: Dwayne Roloson

Preview Notes: The Buffalo Sabres are playing great hockey lately and look to continue against the Islanders. After scoring just 4 goals in 3 games, the Sabres scored 6 in their last game against Detroit. Ryan Miller has been almost unbeatable.

The Islanders, while better than last year, are still struggling to find their first win. Rookie John Tavares has 2 goals and 5 points in four games so far for the young Islanders. The Islanders have come close to winning with one of their 4 games going to over time and two of them going to the shootout. The way Miller and the rest of the Sabres have been playing, win #1 looks doubtful.

Buffalo will be without Thomas Vanek who is recovering from an "upper body" injury.

Vanek Not Out For "Weeks!?!!!"

In potential great news for my fantasy team, Thomas Vanek's injury may not be that bad after all.

Vanek was out practicing with his Buffalo Sabres teammates yesterday. Although limited, his participation was encouraging:

“I was pleasantly surprised he felt the way he did yesterday, I was even more surprised he was out trying to practice today. That’s all good things,” Ruff said. “But at the same time, after working out, it’s not quite where we need him.

There is a chance Vanek will play this weekend:

“Hopefully I’ll wake up tomorrow and feel great, but like I said I’m taking it day-by-day and if it’s not, hopefully Saturday,” he said. “The pain is something I can always deal with, it’s about being smart and not getting any worse.”

Thomas Vanek Out for "Weeks"

In terrible news for my fantasy team the Buffalo Sabres, sniper Thomas Vanek suffered an "undisclosed upper body injury" last night against the Detroit Red Wings.

Vanek had apparently been hurt early in the game but tried to play through. He seemed to be further injured after falling awkwardly after his second goal.

Coach Lindy Ruff was quoted as saying Vanek would miss "weeks, not days." Could be trouble for the Sabres unless they can face Detroit every night.

Unfortunately Ruff cannot make any roster moves as Yahoo lists Vanek as DTD instead of putting him on the IR for fantasy purposes.