* Before the playoffs began, I thought the Sabres would dispose of the Islanders in much the same way a cobra takes care of its prey -- quickly and efficiently. But now, it's looking like Buffalo has changed tactics and now they're looking more like an anaconda. Without any quick strike weapons of their own, it looks like that's all it will take to eliminate the Islanders, though the Sabres have looked awfully ordinary at times. All of a sudden, a potential meeting in the next round against the Rangers and players like Ryan Hollweg, Jed Ortmeyer and Sean Avery is looking very dangerous for Buffalo.
* As my friend Jes noted over at the NHL Fan House earlier today, hockey loadstone Alexei Yashin has pulled his usual postseason disappearing act, and has now been demoted to the Islanders' fourth line by head coach Ted Nolan.
Early this season, Nolan made a big deal out of reaching out to Yashin, and he actually seemed to respond. Truth be told, his numbers during the regular season (18G, 32A, +6) were pretty good for a guy who missed 24 games due to injury. Then again, I have to wonder whether or not this might be Yashin's true last chance on the Island.
* Whenever I think Ottawa is primed for a knockout punch, they bounce back. I still like them to take out Pittsburgh.
* Greg Wyshynski might be annoyed by the spat between Barry Trotz and Ron Wilson, but I think it's the most entertaining exchange I've seen since Mark Crawford started cracking wise about the steel plate in Scotty Bowman's head.
* J.P. Dumont has five goals in three playoff games, making him just another happy member of Mad Mike's Forsaken Draft Pick Club. Other members include Bryan McCabe, Todd Bertuzzi, Zdeno Chara, Eric Brewer, Tim Connolly and Roberto Luongo.
“potential meeting in the next round against the Rangers and players like Ryan Hollweg, Jed Ortmeyer and Sean Avery is looking very dangerous for Buffalo.”
I sound like the worst Devils fan in the world right now, but that would mean the Devils actually get past the Lightning. We’ll see about that. They have been less than impressive so far.