Buffalo Sabres

The New York Islanders took on The Buffalo Sabres at First Niagra Center Saturday night in front of a sell out crowd. On Wednesday, Buffalo fired long time coach Lindy Ruff and hired Ron Rolston for the position. Isles big news occurred on Friday when the team placed G Rick DiPietro on waivers.

DiPietro cleared waivers and will play in Bridgeport for the remainder of the season, in all likelihood. He will get plenty of ice time there, and we will see if he can find his game again. I have nothing against DP, but I fear this will be a tall order. Time will tell.

The Isles opened the game with the successful Tavares-Moulson-Boyes line. David Ullstrom was a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game. Hamonic-MacDonald started on D, and Evgeni Nabokov was in goal with Kevin Poulin as his backup.

As Long Islanders shovel their way out of Nemo's wintery wrath, the Islanders look to dig themselves out of this 3 game losing streak.

After a successful road trip, the Islanders returned home to lose to New Jersey and Pittsburgh and went back to the road for the first against the Rangers.

Other than John Tavares' impressive play, the Islanders looked outworked, unenthusiastic and just overwhelmed by the Rangers.

They have been outscored 11-3 on this recent skid. It is obvious that scoring is not coming to the team as easily as it once was.

It is important for the team not to harp on losses and let them snowball into long stretches of futility that could render this season a wash.

The season is too tightly packed for the Islanders to feel bad for themselves and let the losses mount. In this talented Eastern Conference and more specifically Atlantic Division, it is easy to get buried.

After a day of watching 26 other NHL teams take the ice on the opening day of the 2012-2013 season, the Sabres will begin their season today against Philadelphia. But, is there any advantage to having an extra day off before starting the season?

There certainly is. 

The Sabres were able to get in another practice that allowed players to become reacquainted with one another during a much shorter than usual training camp. It also enabled the coaches and other staff members to watch the Flyers battle the Penguins. 

Key matchups could be set along with possible changes in the lineup that may be e...

Finally, the Dallas Stars have financial freedom. Tom Gaglardi has given GM Joe Nieuwendyk the ability to spend money—and did he ever. He dished out pretty good money to sign some free agents, and pick up a few assets over the summer. Let's take a look at what happened after another heartbreaking season.

In with the new:
Jaromir Jagr - one year, $4.5 million
Ray Whitney - two years, $9 million
Derek Roy -  acquired in Ott trade
Cody Eakin - acquired in Ribeiro trade
Aaron Rome - three years, $4.5 million

Out with the old:
Sheldon Souray - to Anaheim
Mike Ribeiro - to Was...