Elmont, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Eric Comrie bounced back from a rough last start with a shutout to help the Sabres earn a 2-0 win over the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on Long Island.
The win for Buffalo also gives the Sabres an important two points and a glimmer of hope in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race.
Most of the play in the first period was controlled by the Sabres, as they got out to a 13-7 lead in shots. Though they failed to convert on the lone power play of the period and Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov making a few big saves, it was scoreless after the first frame.
The Sabres got another chance with the man advantage early in the second with Zach Parise in the box for slashing. But once again, they would fail to convert.
New York got their first chance on the power play with Jack Quinn off for hooking later in the second, but the defensive battle kept the score at 0-0. Rasmus Dahlin would take a hooking call late in the period, but the penalty kill stayed strong.
Early in the third, Noah Dobson headed to the penalty box for hooking, but once again, the Sabres could not take advantage with the extra man.
With 6:29 remaining in regulation, the Sabres finally broke through as Kyle Okposo slammed home a shot in front of Varlamov, giving the Sabres the 1-0 advantage.
It stayed a one-goal game until the Islanders emptied their net and Dylan Cozens fed Jeff Skinner with 31.8 seconds remaining.
Comrie helped shut the door for the Sabres to help his team earn the 2-0 victory. He earned his second-career shutout along the way, making 26 saves in a tightly-contested battle.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
NYI: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
NYI: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 13:31 - Kyle Okposo (10) (Ilya Lyubushkin); 19:28 - Jeff Skinner (31) (ENG) (Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt)
NYI: NONE
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
NYI: 10:45 - Pierre Engvall (High-sticking - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 12:10 - Jack Quinn (Hooking - 2 min.); 16:14 - Rasmus Dahlin (Hooking - 2 min.)
NYI: 3:42 - Zach Parise (Slashing - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
NYI: 4:28 - Noah Dobson (Tripping - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Eric Comrie - BUF
2.) Kyle Okposo - BUF
3.) Semyon Varlamov - NYI
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What's next:
The blue and gold head home to take on the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night for a 7 p.m. ET faceoff at KeyBank Center. Catch all of the action on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550 - starting with pregame coverage at 6 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.