Who needs Jason Blake? Or Ryan Smyth? Or any of the other players who left Long Island during the offseason?
For two games, at least, not the Islanders.
They just need Mike Comrie. And a bit of luck.
The team’s top line filled with newcomers Comrie, Bill Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko was tremendous again last night in a 3-2 win over Buffalo, the Islanders’ second straight over the Sabres to start the season in front of an announced sellout of 16,342 in the home opener.
And while all three have thus far proven to be excellent additions, no one has been better than Comrie, who has scored a pair of goals in both games.
“Comrie told us over the summer that he wanted to be the go-to guy,” coach Ted Nolan said. “He’s been our go-to guy.”
“Our role is to score goals,” Comrie said. “We’ve done that for two games.”
Last night, Comrie saved his scoring for the third period, giving the Isles a 2-1 lead 1:39 into the period. The former Senator expertly weaved past three Sabres after getting the puck from Guerin, while Fedotenko also got an assist on the play.
“Mike Comrie is a dynamic player with the puck,” Rick DiPietro said.
He showed that again as he gave the Isles a two-goal cushion after receiving a pass following his initial shot which was stopped by Ryan Miller.
Jochen Hecht got Buffalo back in it, making it 3-2 with 5:49 to go as he barreled toward DiPietro. The Sabres dominated the latter part of the third period, including Tim Connolly hitting the post on a shot that could have tied the game.
“I just heard the ding,” said DiPietro, who stopped 30 of 32 shots.
“The last 15 minutes, we kind of sat back,” Comrie said. “We have to keep playing.”
Almost as important as Comrie’s offense – as well as that of Chris Campoli, who has two goals already after scoring just one in 51 games a year ago – was the improved defense after the season-opening 6-4 win in Buffalo. The Isles surrendered three goals in the first period in that match.
“We were much more responsible,” DiPietro said of the defense against the team that knocked the Islanders out of the playoffs last year. And they were also solid on the penalty kill, allowing the Sabres just one goal in seven attempts.
Comrie is keeping in mind that this quick start is just two games.
“It’s a good start and we’re happy,” Comrie said. “But it’s just a start.”
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Jon Sim (sprained knee) left the game and will be evaluated today or tomorrow.