seasons in franchise history, and were looking to tie a historical achievement on this night at HSBC arena.The Sabres jumped out to an early lead on a goal by Derek Roy at 2:14, which was followed by a score for the Islanders by Jason Blake to tie it at one.Thomas Vanek, two goals by Chris Drury and one by Drew Stafford gave Buffalo the extended cushion by the end of the first period of four goals.
With no scoring in the second period, NYI came out in the third period and made a game of it by scoring three goals, two within the first five minutes. Buffalo would prevail 6-4. Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford had a goal and assist each, while Jason Pominville added three assists.
Buffalo was gearing up for a push for the top of the Eastern conference, scoring five goals on special teams, three on the power play and two shorthanded. The Islanders, at this time, were 10th in the East with five games left. Little did the teams know they would meet three weeks later in the first round of the playoffs.
With the win against the Islanders, the Sabres became the first team in the NHL to reach 50 wins, and had 107 points moving ahead of Detroit. The 50 wins for the team marked the second time in franchise history for the team to reach that mark. The first was 2005-06 with 52. They also crept within one win of clinching first in the Eastern Conference, which they eventually accomplished.