Islanders 2, Sabres 1
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Center Frans Nielsen and left winger Nikolay Kulemin scored, leading the New York Islanders to a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.
Goalie Thomas Greiss made 42 saves for the Islanders (21-12-5).
Center Ryan O'Reilly scored for the Sabres (15-19-4). Buffalo goalie Linus Ullmark made 31 saves.
Nielsen opened the scoring midway through the second period against the flow of play by pouncing on a loose puck in the Sabres crease.
After a shot from Islanders center John Tavares was initially stopped, Ullmark appeared to have control, but the puck was actually beside him. The Sabres challenged the goal, but it was confirmed. Nielsen's goal came at 9:35.
Kulemin doubled the lead 1:07 into the third period. Right winger Kyle Okposo found Kulemin with a backhand pass from behind the Sabres' net, and Kulemin struck for short range for his fifth goal of the season. It was his third consecutive game with a goal.
O'Reilly got the Sabres on the board with a power-play goal with 8:42 remaining following a strong setup by Jack Eichel. The rookie center fed a hard cross-ice pass to O'Reilly in the left circle, and O'Reilly made no mistake, putting home his 15th goal of the season.
It was Buffalo's first power-play goal in 20 attempts over a span of eight games.
The Sabres had an early jump in their step and dominated the first period, outshooting the Islanders 17-5 through 20 minutes. Buffalo held a 16-1 advantage in shots through the first 14:42 of the period. The Sabres had three power plays in the first period, including a five-on-three advantage, but was unable to grab an early lead.
Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk left the game in the third period after going headfirst into the boards. Boychuk went to put a hit on Eichel and missed before crashing into the end boards.
NOTES: Sabres C Tyler Ennis and D Carlo Colaiacovo were scratched. Ennis sustained an upper-body injury in the second period of Buffalo's 5-2 loss to Washington on Wednesday. ... Islanders RW Steve Bernier, LW Eric Boulton and D Brian Strait were scratched. ... Islanders G Jaroslav Halak is closer to returning from an upper-body injury. He rejoined the team in Buffalo for practice but remains on injured reserve. ... This was the second of three meetings between the Sabres and Islanders this season. The third and final game takes place April 9 in New York.