The Islanders begin their season tonight in Buffalo, where last season ended in a Game 4 loss in the first round of the playoffs, but much has changed for both teams since that match.

Gone are 40-goal-scorer Jason Blake, vet Ryan Smyth, who lasted less than a season on Long Island before bolting for Colorado, and Alexei Yashin, his enormous contract having been bought out in the offseason, among others. Among the skaters replacing them are Bill Guerin, the team’s new captain, who will turn 37 this season, and Mike Comrie.

Second-year head coach Ted Nolan will try to repeat his performance from a season ago, when he took an unproven squad into the playoffs, thanks to a four-game winning streak to end the regular season. The Isles start off with a home-and-home against the Sabres (the home opener tomorrow at the Coliseum).