Feature Articles

Sabres Remain Unbeaten With Another Shootout Win By James Meyerriecks

Maybe Jussi Jokinen and the Dallas Stars (who won their first eight shootouts last season) could find a challenging opponent in the league's new format. Ryan Miller had a terrific night, and the Power Play netted two goals in five chances as the Buffalo Sabres moved to 5-0 on the year with a 3-2 shootout victory in Detroit.

The Sabres, considered amongst the favorites in the East, have made a living early in the year off of the shootout format introduced by the league a year ago. After Ales Kotalik buried the gane-winner Friday night, Buffalo now finds themselves three for three in shootouts through just five games. While the skaters have been impressive for Buffalo in the shootouts, Ryan Miller has been the difference, as he's been successful in stopping 8 of 9 attempts so far this season.

Miller was also the difference throughout regulation and overtime play Friday, though. While he struggled early, misplaying the puck on Detroit's first goal, Miller rebounded to stop 41 of 43 shots in his third victory of the year. Only soph center Jason Williams would find a way to solve Miller this night, burying what was essentially an empty-netter for the opening goal and adding another tally late in the first. From that point forward, Miller was a brick wall in net, stopping 25 shots in the game's final two periods while making several acrobatic saves.

Chris Drury got the Sabres back into the game with five minutes to go in the first, netting his team-leading third goal of the season, while Thomas Vanek would score his first of the year late in the second period to knot it up. Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek allowed two goals on seventeen shots in the loss.

Around the Leage

- Jay Bouwmeester buried a slap shot from the point with nine minutes remaining in the third period as the Florida Panthers beat their cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2. Bouwmeester, who didn't score his first goal until March last season, busted into the scoring column much earlier this year as his slapper beat Lightning backup Johan Holmqvist five-hole on the Power Play. Juraj Kolnik and Nathan Horton added even-strength tallies, while Olli Jokinen had two helpers as the Panthers moved to 3-2-0 on the year. Ryan Craig remained red hot for the 'Ning as he scored his fourth goal of the season.

- Ray Whitney scored the game-winner with just 0.5 seconds left as the Carolina Hurricanes finally got off the schnyde, defeating the Atlanta Thrashers 4-3. Craig Adams scored twice in the victory, while Eric Staal added a goal and an assist. Carolina captain Rod Brind'amour added three helpers as the 'Canes improved to 1-3-1 on the year. Offseason acquisition Jon Sim scored twice in the second period for the Thrashers.

- Roberto Luongo had a rare bad start, allowing 6 goals on 37 shots in a 6-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Patrick Marleau scored his first goal of the year, while Milan Michalak added a pair of helpers for San Jose. Curtis Brown's breakaway shorthanded goal proved to be the game-winner in a back and forth contest. The Sedin twins combined for five points in the loss, while Markus Naslund added his third goal of the year and defenseman Kevin Bieska added a goal and two assists.

More Notes

Bouwmeester took forever and a day to score his first goal last year, but he scored five in the season's final two months. He has a big shot, a terrific pedigree, and could emerge as a top ten defenseman by year's end.

If Craig is somehow still available in your league, you have to grab him at this point. He's logging a ton of important ice time, and he's splitting his time between the first and third line in Tampa. Though he was a bit of a surprise with his scoring ability last year, he's definitely taking steps to prove that he's for real early on this year.

Sim also has four early goals, and he's worth a look as well. Though he's still yet to have a breakout year, Sim did have a terrific second-half after joining the Florida Panthers last season, finishing with 10 goals and 18 points in 33 games. He'll see his fair share of time in the box, but he's a lock to stick as a top six forward on a team that lacks a lot of offensive depth in Atlanta. Put him alongside either Ilya Kovalchuk or Marian Hossa and it spells career year.

Don't buy into Craig Adams' two goal night. He won't be a fantasy factor. It was nice to see Staal and Whitney put solid games together, while Brind'amour could fit as a third or fourth center in fantasy circles.

Luongo will be fine... it was just a rough game for him. He probably should have stopped two of the goals, though.

As a fan, I love the balance of scoring on San Jose. They can roll four lines and not miss a beat. For example, the top line of Thornton, Cheechoo, and Mark Smith combined for zero points and was a -2 on the night. However, the team still scored six goals. Any one of the top six forwards on the Sharks are quality fantasy options, and they'll be even better when Mark Bell (out indefinitely with a groin pull) is healthy. Patrick Marleau is a household name, while Steve Bernier and Milan Michalak may be in the very near future.

As a fantasy owner, I hate that they have quite that much scoring depth. It takes away too many chances for the big guns.

Speaking of scoring depth, that's something that the Canucks just don't have. The Sedin Twins and Markus Naslund are all phenomenal players to have, and will have to carry the Canucks all season. Through five games, they've combined for nineteen points. The rest of the Canucks have combined for..... nineteen points.

After a one goal, two assist performance, Bieksa is probably going to be a hot name among the free agents tomorrow morning. Though it looks like he'll see his fair share of Power Play time (because the Canucks lack a dominant PP QB), I'm not buying yet. He has a good shot, but he's always looked like he'd develop into a stay-at-home guy. Sami Salo and Matthias Ohlund are both better options to run the point, while Lukas Krajicek will be the go-to-guy down the road. If you're after Bieksa, I hope it's because you're assuming he might have a 25-30 point season and get you some PIMS to go along with a decent +/-.

For the time being, this is a temporary preview of something we may be running on the front page at FIC three or four days a week throughout the NHL season. If you want your daily hockey fix now, I'll also be running this as an off-site blog for the time being. The following is just a taste of what you can find at Neutral Zone Trap! If you would like to see NZT on the front-page at FIC all year, please vote here!

James Meyerriecks has been actively involved at FIC since its inception in 2001, and has been writing The Hook throughout the MLB season since 2002. This season, he'll be tackling a weekly hockey column, The Blue Line, as well as a semi-weekly blog called Neutral Zone Trap. He's also represented FIC in a handful of Experts Leagues over the past three seasons and is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.

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