It was Sam Reinhart scoring twice on Monday night to back Michael Houser's first career win in the National Hockey League over the New York Islanders in comeback fashion.
Against the same opponent on Tuesday, the Sabres, again, erased a two-goal deficit to back Houser's 45 saves across regulation and overtime. The goal-scoring hero? Anders Bjork, who netted a pair in regulation, as well as the shootout winner to fuel Buffalo's 4-3 win in their home finale over the Islanders at KeyBank Center.
This time, it was the Sabres who started the scoring, as Cody Eakin potted his third goal of the year after the puck bounded directly into the slot off the back wall. Drake Caggiula corralled the loose puck, and dished it off to Jeff Skinner, before Skinner fed Eakin for a cross-ice layup.
Caggiula's secondary assist was his first point in nine games since being claimed off waivers by Buffalo last month.
The 1-0 lead lasted only 26 seconds, as on an ensuing Islanders rush, Anthony Beauvillier was the beneficiary of a Josh Bailey one-time pass-and-shoot that left Houser no chance.
The Islanders made it 2-1 less than four minutes into the second period, when defenseman Ryan Pulock's point shot eluded all traffic in front and found its way behind Houser.
New York's run of goals reached three later in the middle stanza, when forward Cal Clutterbuck capitalized on a young Buffalo defenseman's miscue on a power play. Jacob Bryson lost his footing in the neutral zone as a man advantage was winding down. Clutterbuck was "Johnny on the spot," as the veteran scooped the puck up and skated in on goal before sniping a shorthanded tally.
The Sabres battled back, though, and kept within striking distance before the second period ended. With 2:23 left on the docket, Bjork tipped home his second goal with the Sabres off a point shot from Colin Miller.
Staying in the Islanders' rearview mirror paid off for the Sabres in the third, when Bjork doubled his fun near the midway point of the period.
The short-side snipe gave Bjork his first multi-goal game in the NHL since Oct. 19, 2017 as a member of the Boston Bruins.
Bjork's goal was the last of its kind in regulation, as the teams readied for overtime at KeyBank Center.
Neither team found the game-winning goal in the extra five-minute frame; the Islanders posted the only shot of the period.
In the shootout, Houser's Hollywood-esque script continued as he stopped all three Islanders shooters. Bjork beat netminder Ilya Sorokin in the top of the second round, and the goal ended up being all Buffalo needed to complete a second-consecutive multi-goal comeback over the Islanders.
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Michael Houser - BUF
2.) Anders Bjork - BUF
3.) Cal Clutterbuck - NYI
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What's Next:
The blue and gold travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins for the penultimate game of the 2020-21 season on Thursday. Puck drop at PPG Paints Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET with the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog starting at 6 p.m. ET on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.