NHL Game of the Week: Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Islanders

Two teams clash for the top of their respective divisions as the New York Islanders welcome the Buffalo Sabres to UBS Arena next Saturday.

Following the Sabres’ 3-2 shootout win in late December, these sides collide as they fight for postseason-potential points.

The last time these teams met

It was a near-capacity crowd at KeyBank Center when the Sabres got the victory. Rasmus Dahlin got Buffalo on the board early in the first period, capitalizing on a power play for his fourth goal of the year.

The penalty that led to the goal happened just 20 seconds before it when New York’s Matthew Barzal was called for tripping.

Midway through the second period, the Sabres extended their lead with a backhand goal from Tage Thompson.

Barzal redeemed himself as the final seconds ticked away before intermission on a snap-shot goal. It would be a lot of back-and-forth goose eggs until the end.

With 29 seconds left in regulation, Emil Heineman found the net for the Islanders’ equalizer and sent it into overtime.

Alex Tuch of Buffalo was called for tripping near the end of a scoreless overtime period. What followed was a lengthy shootout.

Barzal and Jack Quinn of Buffalo exchanged goals after a wrist shot from Thompson was swallowed at the crease.

Both sides would not score another goal after two exchanges, leading to a Norris redemption shot that cashed in to make it 2 to 1 Sabres in the shootout.

With the puck on his stick and the game on the line, Calum Ritchie could not convert on his shootout opportunity as Buffalo took home the 3-2 win.

Since that fateful night

The Sabres earned their 35th and 36th points but still trailed heavily in the Eastern Conference as five teams placed ahead of them in the wild-card hunt.

The Islanders, on the other hand, were sitting pretty with a Metropolitan-third 42 points and in a favorable position to continue that.

As of today, the Sabres have jumped to first in the Eastern Conference wild card with 61 points, rattling off 21 of those in their last 14 games.

The Islanders found consistent success as well, posting 59 points on the season, and are tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins at second place in the Metropolitan.

Implications for this game

Buffalo is 12-11-2 on the road this season, with their last contest of that kind being on Thursday with a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

The New York Islanders are 14-8-2 at UBS Arena this season, having last played there on January 6 in a 9-0 win against the New Jersey Devils.

With a win and a Canadiens loss to the Boston Bruins, the Sabres could climb to the third spot in the Atlantic Division.

The Islanders would need a win to once again tie the Penguins for the second spot in the Metropolitan.

Picks, how to watch

In an in-state clash, a battle between the city and (arguable) upstate comes to a head in a crucial Saturday game. I’m rolling with the Islanders in this one.

Puck drop is at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Catch the game on ESPN+.

Bryan Portney is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email bep5295@psu.edu.