Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Evgeni Nabokov stopped 35 shots to notch his
53rd career shutout on Saturday, as the New York Islanders blanked the Buffalo
Sabres, 4-0, at First Niagara Center.
Mark Streit recorded a goal and an assist, while Michael Grabner, John Tavares
and Colin McDonald each scored once for the Islanders, who have won two
straight.
Ryan Miller allowed all four goals on 32 shots for Buffalo, which has lost
four straight, including both games under interim head coach Ron Rolston.
Rolston replaced the fired Lindy Ruff, who had been the coach of the Sabres
since July 21, 1997 and was the league's longest tenured head coach.
After a scoreless first frame, New York broke through with a pair of goals
just 65 seconds apart late in the second stanza to take control.
The first came late in the period when Matt Moulson flipped a centering feed
from the top of the right circle that a cutting Streit redirected past Miller
from the low left side to make it 1-0 at the 17:51 mark.
Then, just over a minute later, Grabner intercepted a pass at his own blue
line and charged in on a breakaway before slipping a shot through the five-
hole of Miller to push the lead to 2-0 at the 18:56 mark.
Tavares added to the lead early in the third when he won a scrum behind the
net and skated into the low slot before beating Miller to the stick-side to
make it 3-0 at the 4:24 mark.
McDonald's power-play tally with 58 seconds left accounted for the final
margin.
Game Notes
Buffalo had won three straight against New York, including a 3-2 decision
earlier this month in New York ... Moulson registered two assists for the
Islanders ... New York finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while Buffalo
failed on all six of its chances with the man advantage.
The Sports Network