For the third time in four days, the Islanders handed a defeat to the Sabres, once again by a score of 5-2.

The game-winning goal was a second period tally by Casey Cizikas that gave the Islanders a 3-0 lead at the time. The play featured smooth puck movement in the offensive zone from Adam Pelech to Jean-Gabriel Pageau to Cizikas.

“Coming into our home building, this is our ice, this is our home,” Cizikas said.

The Islanders are yet to suffer a regulation loss in their first 12 home games.

After a quiet first period, the Islanders took off in the second. An Anders Lee tip-in, a Brock Nelson wrist shot and a Cizikas one-timer made for a 3-0 lead. In the third, Cal Clutterbuck cashed in on a breakaway and Nelson got another by sealing the deal in the empty net.

It wasn’t Ilya Sorokin‘s strongest day, but the Sabres struggled to capitalize with quality shots. He saved 24 of 26 shots in his fourth win of his rookie season.

“We were able to capitalize on the chances that we got and we were able to sustain when they had their push,” Trotz said.

Strategic hockey on both offense and defense led to the win.

Both Sabres goals came in the second period. Jeff Skinner finally scored his first of the season to get the monkey off his back, the former 40-goal-scorer was held scoreless in his first 19 games. Defenseman Colin Miller also scored on a wrist shot.

The young Jonas Johansson continued to struggle, as he is now 0-3 on the season. Johansson allowed five goals and saved 25 on 30 shots.

The win gives the Islanders a four-point cushion over their East Division competitors. Sitting atop the table sparks confidence, but the playoffs are still a ways away, so every point helps. The Islanders have increased their win streak to five, and are 7-0-1 in the last eight. Last season, the Islanders set a franchise record with a 17-game point streak, which they are trying to recreate.

On the other hand, things are far from pretty in Buffalo. With the least amount of points in the league, the Sabres have now lost six in a row. They have just two wins in their last 14 contests.

The Islanders have dealt the Sabres a defeat in each of their six games against the Sabres this season. They will stay at home as they will face the Bruins on Tuesday.

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others