Buffalo loses third straight in inconsistent effort.
Score: Buffalo Sabres 0, New York Islanders 3
Shots: BUF: 29, NYI: 20
Buffalo Sabres Goals: none
New York Islanders Goals: Anders Lee (10 – PPG), Simon Holmstrom (6, 7 – EN)
Plus 1: Good First Period, Coach’s Challenge
The Sabres played an aggressive first period, outshooting the Islanders 10-6 and getting some good scoring chances. 7:10 into the first, New York forward Matt Martin backhanded the puck past James Reimer to make it 1-0 Islanders. Thankfully for the Sabres, head coach Lindy Ruff quickly challenged the goal as offside going into Buffalo’s zone and the refs and video team, after a lengthy review, overturned the goal in the Sabres’ favor.
Sabres’ fans no doubt thought Ruff would lose this one, but in this instance he didn’t. Good on Ruff for spotting a bouncing puck that was difficult to see. Ruff’s successful challenge gave the visitors a second chance to get on the board first.
Minus 1: Poor Second Period Play Puts Buffalo in 2-0 Hole
Unfortunately, the home team scored first instead, taking advantage of a Bo Byram hooking penalty to make it 1-0 Islanders 7:23 into the second. It took Anders Lee just 20 seconds on New York’s first man advantage to capitalize, with assists from Kyle Palmieri and Dennis Cholowski.
Some two minutes later, Simon Holmstrom got a snap shot past Reimer to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead. The hosts’ second goal of the night put the visitors in a hole, that, based on how tight the Isles played D, made it tough for Buffalo’s offense to mount a comeback.
Minus 2: Third Period Penalties, Late Effort Spell Defeat
Don’t Blame Me had the Comment of the Game: “The Isles are atrocious in the third and we couldn’t even get one in that frame…unacceptable.”
The Islanders are normally weak during third periods, something broadcaster Rob Ray thought would lead to a Sabres’ goal or even regulation tie. It didn’t happen, thanks to New York playing tough defense, limiting Buffalo’s scoring chances to one-timers with few rebounds, plus four power play minutes.
The Isles didn’t get another PP goal in the final 20 but Holmstrom got the empty netter to put it away with 10 seconds left. The Blue and Gold turned on the attack in the final five minutes but thanks to an inability to score and Holmstrom’s empty net goal, their effort was too little, too late.
Final Thoughts
The Sabres, after enjoying a three-game win streak during their recent West Coast road trip, came back East to lose three straight matchups, including two with no goals. Islanders’ netminder Ilya Sorokin stopped all 29 shots the Blue and Gold threw at him, the second shutout Buffalo suffered in the past three contests. If the Sabres hope to not squander their playoff chances by Christmas, they’ll need to summon the discipline and consistent effort they displayed in California and haven’t shown enough since.
Next up, the Sabres return home to face the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.