Sam Reinhart and Michael Houser stole the show on Monday night against the New York Islanders, as the Buffalo Sabres scored four unanswered goals on a stout Islanders team en route to a 4-2 victory. Reinhart posted two goals and three points, while Houser won his National Hockey League debut inside KeyBank Center.
The first goal-against of Houser's career came 9:15 into the contest, when Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech's shot was deflected on its way in for a 1-0 New York edge. The puck changed direction off the stick of Henri Jokiharju.
With 10:42 gone in the second period of play, the Islanders' lead became two. Blue-liner Pelech was involved again, though this time his point shot was tipped in by his own teammate. Forward Oliver Wahlstrom deflected the puck past Houser for his 11th goal of the season.
The Sabres broke through a little over three minutes later on a powerplay, when Tage Thompson scored his seventh goal of the campaign.
Thompson received help from Jacob Bryson and Rasmus Ristolainen on the man advantage, as Buffalo scored the first goal against Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov in over three games, dating back to April 20, 2021.
The blue and gold found the equalizer against the stingy Islanders defense with 8:35 left in regulation, when Sam Reinhart threw a puck in on net that was banged home by Rasmus Asplund parked on the doorstep.
Reinhart set the scoring play up with a neat dangle on Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield.
Reinhart then gave the Sabres their first lead of the night four-and-a-half minutes later. After winning an offensive zone faceoff, Reinhart showed off his incredible net-front skills by deflecting a Rasmus Ristolainen shot in behind Varlamov for the go-ahead tally.
The run of goals for Buffalo didn't end there, as Reinhart put the finishing touches on a three-point night with an empty-net goal inside the final minute. It was his 25th goal of the season, equaling his career-high from three season ago in 2017-18. It took Reinhart just 51 games to match that feat in 2020-21.
Also starring in victory was Houser, who won in his debut in the National Hockey League after years in the American Hockey League. The Youngstown, Ohio native stopped 34 of 36 Islanders shots after joining the Sabres on a one-year contract in March of 2021.
Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.)
2.)
3.)
What's Next:
The blue and gold host the Islanders again tomorrow night, May 4 for the final meeting of the season between these two teams. Puck drop inside KeyBank Center is set for 7 p.m. EST, and the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog starts at 6 p.m. EST on the radio home of the Buffalo Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
