Sabres set up clinching scenario with 4-3 win over Islanders

Buffalo, NY (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - It was a physical back and forth battle Tuesday night at KeyBank Center that saw the Sabres come out on top 4-3 over the Islanders. Bowen Byram hit the empty net in the final moments to earn the game winning goal. Buffalo jumped back into first place in the Atlantic Division improving to 100 points on the season for the first time since 2009-2010. Also, it would be the 2,000th win in franchise history.

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The Sabres got an early chance on the power play with Carson Soucy going to the box for high sticking just 0:41 seconds into the game. The man advantage would disappear quickly as Josh Norris got called for interference in the offensive zone midway through the power play. Though neither team could score in their abridged man advantage.

Buffalo got another chance on the power play later in the first and this time they would take advantage with Jack Quinn cutting into the slot and snapping it past Ilya Sorokin.

The Islanders got a great opportunity to tie the game in the second period as Anders Lee broke in to the Sabres zone past Owen Power and got slashed from behind which would result in a penalty shot. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stood tall though making a great glove save on Lee to keep the game 1-0.

New York got a chance on the power play late in the second with Mattias Samuelsson in the box for delay of game. They would take advantage as Calum Ritchie scored to tie the game 1-1.

Later in the third period, Anders Lee hit Josh Norris into the boards along the Islanders bench and Norris came up bloody and headed to the locker room.

To start the third, Sam Carrick challenged Lee to a fight right off the faceoff. Carrick was injured as he hit the ice and went to the locker room holding his arm.

Moments after the fight, Carson Soucy got called for his second penalty of the night and this time the Sabres power play made them pay. Josh Norris found Tage Thompson in the slot where he snapped it home to give Buffalo the 2-1 lead early in the third.

The physical play continued midway through the period as Scott Mayfield ran Josh Norris into the boards and got called for roughing. Norris retaliated and would head to the box, receiving four minutes for roughing.

The Islanders tied the game later in the third, as Anders Lee sent the puck towards the net and got two deflections off Luukkonen's stick and into Owen Power's skate then into the net to even the game 2-2.

But Buffalo jumped back into the lead as Alex Tuch made a great play from behind the net to find Peyton Krebs in front to make it a 3-2 lead with just three minutes remaining in the third. Ilya Sorokin went to the bench for the extra attacker and Bowen Byram extended the Sabres lead to 4-2 as he hit the empty net from long range deep in the defensive zone.

New York would not go away as they pushed till the end, Brayden Schenn scored with just :01 second remaining in the game to make it a 4-3 final.

Buffalo needs just 2 more points to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2011. They can do so Thursday night at 7 against the Ottawa Senators.

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GAME RECAP

Scoring Summary:

First Period:

BUF: 14:19 - Jack Quinn (18)(PPG) (Josh Norris)

NYI: NONE

Second Period:

BUF: NONE

NYI: 17:57 - Calum Ritchie (12)(PPG) (Brayden Schenn, Bo Horvat)

Third Period:

BUF: 2:40 - Tage Thompson (38)(PPG) (Josh Norris, Jack Quinn), 16:59 - Peyton Krebs (11) (Alex Tuch, Tage Thompson), 18:17 - Bowen Byram (11)(ENG) (Mattias Samuelsson)

NYI: 13:39 - Anders Lee (18) (Bo Horvat, Matthew Schaefer), 19:59 - Brayden Schenn (17) (Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat)

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STATS OF THE GAME:

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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:

1.) Peyton Krebs (BUF)

2.) Jack Quinn (BUF)

3.) Josh Norris (BUF)

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