The Buffalo Sabres delivered an impressive performance on Saturday, defeating the New York Islanders 5-0. Jason Tucker shone with two goals, while Alex Lyon made 26 saves, marking his ninth consecutive victory, which ties a franchise record. This win also marked the Sabres’ third straight, showcasing their strong form as they have secured five victories in their last seven games.
The Sabres opened the scoring early in the second period. Tucker netted his first goal just 33 seconds in, capitalizing on a rebound from a shot taken by Jack Quinn. Tage Thompson doubled the lead at 19:47 of the second period, slipping the puck past a sliding David Rittich. Tucker then struck again, scoring his second goal 25 seconds into the third period, giving the Sabres a commanding 3-0 lead.
Buffalo continued to exert pressure, with Rasmus Dahlin scoring into an empty net at 14:02 of the third. Alex Tuch capped off the scoring approximately 30 seconds later, redirecting a shot from Mattias Samuelsson past Rittich. This marked Lyon’s sixth career shutout, and with his recent success, he tied the Buffalo record previously held by Gerry Desjardins during the 1976-77 season.
The Sabres’ record now stands at an impressive 18-3-1 over their last 22 games, highlighting their upward trajectory. Lyon’s arrival at the Sabres in July, after two seasons with Detroit, has proven beneficial for the team. His performance on Saturday further solidified his position as a key player in Buffalo’s lineup.
On the other side, the Islanders faced challenges during their first home game after a seven-game road trip, where they managed a record of 3-3-1. Rittich, who had not started since January 17 against Calgary, entered the game with a record of 4-2-2 and a goals-against average of 2.46 against the Sabres. Following this match, his record for the season slipped to 11-7-3.
In terms of player updates, Bo Horvat returned to the ice for the Islanders after missing nine games due to a lower-body injury, providing a boost to the team’s lineup.
Looking ahead, the Sabres will face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, while the Islanders are set to play against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Both teams will aim to build on their recent performances in their upcoming games.
