Pre-game
*Tonight is Ron Rolston’s second game as interim head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. Rolston is the 16th head coach in franchise history. The Sabres last replaced a head coach mid-season in 1991-92, when John Muckler took over 35 percent of the way through the season, inheriting a 9-15-4 (.393) team and taking them to the playoffs. When Rolston was hired, the team was 6-10-1 (.382), also through 35 percent of the season.
*Buffalo hasn’t lost three straight home games in regulation since Feb. 16 to Feb. 20, 2011 and will attempt to avoid matching that streak tonight.
*Ryan Miller has won his last three games against the Islanders, compiling a .946 save percentage.
After 1st period: NYI 0 – BUF 0
*The first period was the ninth scoreless period in a Sabres game this season. Six of those nine took place in the first period.
*Steve Ott has won his last 12 faceoffs. His last loss came in the first period of Tuesday’s game vs. WPG.
*Buffalo is 4-5-1 when tied after the first period; New York is 2-6-1 when tied after one.
After 2nd period: NYI 2 – BUF 0
*INJURY UPDATE: Alexander Sulzer will not return (lower body).
*Christian Ehrhoff leads all Sabres with a TOI of 16:30; Ehrhoff’s average TOI of 24:54 is the highest by a Sabres skater since Alexei Zhitnik (25:01) in 2003-04.
*Jason Pominville leads all forwards on either team with a TOI of 16:14. Pominville’s average TOI of 20:43 is the highest by a Sabres forward since Miroslav Satan averaged 25:01 in 2003-04.
*The Islanders are 4-1-1 when scoring first; the Sabres are 1-7-1 when allowing the first goal.
*Buffalo is 2-7-1 when trailing after the second period; New York is 3-1-0 when leading after two.
