The Buffalo Sabres’ playoff hopes aren’t dead yet. After blanking the New York Islanders 2-0 on Saturday night for their second straight win, the Sabres sit just four points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The game was scoreless for the first 53 minutes until former Islander Kyle Okposo buried his 10th goal of the season on a cross-ice feed from Ilya Lyubushkin. Jeff Skinner fired his 31st goal into the empty net with 31.8 seconds left to seal the victory.
Eric Comrie recorded a 26-save shutout and became the first NHL goalie to allow 10+ goals in one game and then record a shutout in his next since Toronto’s Don Simmons did so on January 18 & 19, 1964.
Both teams failed to capitalize on the power play as Buffalo went 0-for-3 and New York finished 0-for-2.
The Sabres will be back in action on Monday when they host the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].