Islanders 4, Sabres 0
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A late second-period flurry propelled the New York Islanders to a 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night at the First Niagara Center.
Mark Streit, Michael Grabner, John Tavares and Colin McDonald scored for the Islanders (8-9-1). Evgeni Nabokov made 35 saves for his 53rd career shutout.
The Sabres came up well short in their first home game under new interim coach Ron Rolston, who took over on Wednesday for former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. Buffalo was booed off the ice by the home crowd after the second period and the jeers continued throughout the third.
Ryan Miller had 28 saves for the Sabres (6-12-1) in a losing effort.
The Islanders took control late in the second period after the Sabres came up short on two power-play opportunities. With 2:09 remaining in the second, Matt Moulson connected with Streit on a pretty cross-ice pass and the Islanders captain made it 1-0.
New York took a 2-0 lead one minute later after a bad Sabres turnover. Buffalo's Christian Ehrhoff tried to send the puck from the left to right point inside the Islanders zone but was picked off by Grabner, who raced down the ice and scored on a breakaway as Ehrhoff committed a penalty on the Islanders forward.
Tavares added insurance for New York with his 12th goal of the season 4:24 into the third priod and McDonald scored with 58 seconds remaining for his third goal of the season.
NOTES: Jordan Leopold, John Scott and T.J. Brennan were scratched for the Sabres. Radek Martinek, Eric Boulton and David Ullstrom were scratched for the Islanders. ... Sabres forward Ville Leino (hip) returned to the ice for the morning skate on Saturday. He had been out since Jan. 18. Leino's immediate status remains unknown, though he said he's feeling more optimistic regarding his injury. He has yet to play in a game for the Sabres this season. ... This was the second of three meetings between the teams this season. Buffalo defeated New York 3-2 in the first matchup on Feb. 9. ... This was the 152nd game all time between Buffalo and New York. Heading into Saturday night's game, Buffalo led the series 74-55-22.
