Recap: Islanders 3, Sabres 2 OT

Neither Mathew Barzal's overtime winner nor Josh Bailey's last-minute heroics would have been possible without a stellar night from Jaroslav Halak.
Halak was the foundation of the Islanders' 3-2 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, after the goaltender turned aside 35-of-37 shots. Halak, who won his second straight start, was big when the Islanders needed him, making a clutch save on a point-blank chance in overtime, as well as 13 saves on 14 shots in the third period.
BOXSCORE - PHOTO GALLERY - BOYCHUK MIC'D UP - THE SKINNY

"Jaro played unreal," head coach Doug Weight said. "He made some pretty big saves. Some point blank shots, really good rebound control. He was in command and it was a really good effort."

Halak, who was named the game's third star, improved to 2-0-1 in his last three starts, stopping 35 or more in all three wins. Weight said Halak kept the Islanders in the game during a slow start to the third period, including a save on a Jordan Nolan breakaway two minutes into the frame.
"He was huge for us," Bailey said of Halak. "He bailed me out a couple of times. He deserves a lot of credit in this win."

So does Bailey, who tied the score late in the third period in dramatic fashion. With the Isles net empty, John Tavares fed Bailey for an open look at the Sabers cage and while Bailey got the shot off quick it appeared that Robin Lehner had robbed him, lunging across the net to get a glove on the puck.
Bailey said he was briefly heartbroken, but the play was blown down shortly after as the video goal judges determined the puck had fully crossed the line before Lehner threw it back out.
"I was able to get it a centimeter over the line," Bailey said.

That goal extended Bailey's point streak to nine games - the longest current streak in the NHL - and Tavares' to eight. More importantly, it secured at least a point for the Islanders, before Barzal finished the job with a snapshot from the slot for the OT winner at 1:08.
"I'm just elated that we got two points," Weight said. "Big comeback with a minute-nine and to win it overtime is two huge points."
Barzal scored for the third straight game, picking up speed through the neutral zone, backing off the Sabres' D and snapping a wrister through Lehner from the slot. The goal was Barzal's fifth in three games, extended his point streak to five games (5G, 3A) and maintained his lead atop the rookie scoring race.

Jason Chimera had opened the scoring with his first goal since Dec. 1, banging in a Cal Clutterbuck rebound at 3:41 of the second. Zemgus Girgensons buried a freed from Jack Eichel to tie the score 1-1 at 9:41 of the second, while former Islander Kyle Okposo put the Sabres ahead at 11:33 of the third, knocking in an Evander Kane rebound.
The Islanders finished their five-game homestead with a 3-1-1 record and improved to 12-3-3 at home this season. The Isles now head out for two straight games on the road, starting on Friday night in Winnipeg. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. eastern.
NOTES:
Dennis Seidenberg drew back into the lineup for Ryan Pulock... The Islanders power play was 0-for-2, ending a streak of six straight games with a power-play goal... Bailey (1G, 1A) and Tavares (2A) remained tied for second in NHL scoring with 48 points apiece.
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