The Sabres earned a crucial win against the top of the Metropolitan division Islanders.
The game started off slow but Buffalo was able to strike first late in the first period. After winning the offensive zone puck drop, Jack Eichel made a clean pass to Jeff Skinner who made his 34th goal of the season, bar down.
The Sabres almost headed into the second period on top but with 22 seconds remaining, Casey Cizikas scored off a fumbled puck from Rasmus Ristolainen, tying up the games. Only 12 shots combined were recorded in the first period.
The second was another slow period, with only 13 shots on goal between both teams. Buffalo found themselves on top, as Eichel — who continued to rack up points — came down the wing on a two on one with Jason Pominville who backhanded the goal, earning his 13th goal of the season.
Although the Islanders had a couple of close chances in the third period, Linus Ullmark preserved the lead by making two significant saves.
He continued to channel his inner Dominik Hasek, doing the splits to get his right pad down to stop Mathew Barzal in front. He then foiled Cal Clutterbuck’s backhanded shot after a breakaway attempt.
With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Kyle Okposo shot the puck between the legs of former Sabres goalie Robin Lehner and teammate Johan Larsson sealed the goal from the crease.
Lehner stopped 19 shots in dropping to 13-3-1 in his past 17 starts. (28-21-7), which is 3-1-1 in its past five games. Linus Ullmark made 24 saves.