Anders Lee scored a power-play goal with 12:37 left in the second period and added an assist just two minutes later, helping the New York Islanders secure a 3-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night in Elmont, N.Y.
Simon Holmstrom scored twice, marking his second career multi-goal game, both in consecutive matches. He netted the Islanders’ second goal and later added an empty-net goal in the final seconds.
The Islanders won for the third time in their last 11 games (3-4-4), avoiding a loss after leading into the third period. This win followed their 5-4 overtime loss in Washington the night before, where they blew a 4-2 lead.
Lee recorded his second consecutive multi-point game, despite the Islanders struggling at times to generate scoring chances. A goal from Matt Martin in the first period was ruled offside.
Ilya Sorokin made 29 saves to earn his 19th career shutout, leading the Islanders to their first shutout of the season. Sorokin made a crucial save during a short-handed 2-on-1 rush from Dylan Cozens and later stopped several shots with Buffalo’s extra attacker in the final minute.
Buffalo lost to the Islanders for the second time this season and suffered its third consecutive defeat. Sabres goalie James Reimer made 17 saves in his second start for Buffalo.
The Islanders broke their 0-for-14 power play slump just 20 seconds into their first man advantage. Lee positioned himself well in front of the net, fought off Buffalo’s Owen Power, received a pass from Kyle Palmieri, and redirected the puck past Reimer with his backhand.
The Islanders extended their lead to 2-0 a little more than two minutes later after taking advantage of a Buffalo turnover. Henri Jokiharju lost the puck at the blue line, and Lee raced down the left side, feeding Holmstrom, who finished the play by sending a shot over a sprawled Reimer.
