By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Sabres open their playoff series against the New York Islanders at HSBC Arena Thursday night.
The Sabres are on a season-long roll in finishing with the NHL's best record. They led the league with 308 goals. The Sabres won three of four meetings against New York this season, including a 6-4 victory on March 30.
The last time Islanders coach Ted Nolan led a team to the playoffs was in 1997 with the Buffalo Sabres. But hockey analyst Paul Wieland says he's doesn't think the Nolan-Sabres connection will be a factor in this series.
The Sabres, to a man, say they are not looking past the Islanders. In last year's playoffs, top-seeded Detroit was upset in the first round by Edmonton. And no team since Detroit, in 2002, has won the Stanley Cup after finishing first in the regular season.
Game time is 8:00. The Sabres will hold a pre-game party outside the Arena starting at 5:30.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Mark Scott's interview with Paul Wieland now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.