3 Takeaways: Islanders Blanked By Sabres 2-0

The New York Islanders were shut out by the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 on Saturday evening at UBS Arena.
Kyle Okposo broke a 0-0 deadlock at 13:31 of the third period and Jeff Skinner (ENG) scored for Buffalo, while Eric Comrie recorded 27 saves for the shutout. In the process, the Islanders were shut out for the fifth time this season and saw their four-game point streak come to a stop.

The Islanders remain in the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with 83 points and eight games remaining. The Isles got a little help from the New York Rangers, who put away the Florida Panthers 4-3 in regulation. The Panthers (79 points) chase the Pittsburgh Penguins (80 points) by one point. The Sabres moved to 76 points and trial the Panthers by three points in the standings of the Eastern Conference.
"I don't think we had any thoughts that we're just going to get handed a playoff spot," Kyle Palmieri said after the loss. "We're going to have to fight for it. Not the results we wanted these last few nights, but we'll take the day tomorrow and find a way to recharge and just get ready for Monday."

ISLES SHUT OUT FOR FIFTH TIME THIS SEASON

The Islanders were shut out for the fifth time this season, though the game was scoreless through until the Sabres broke the deadlock late in the third.
Kyle Okposo swept the puck into the net past Varlamov to break the stalemate with 6:29 in the final frame. Jeff Skinner buried an empty net goal to ice the game to win it for Buffalo.
"It was one of those games where there weren't a ton of chances either way for a little bit," Anders Lee said after the loss. "Grinding type game where we needed one in the third, but they got the bounce set that took the lead with six minutes left."
SABRES 2, ISLANDERS 0
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The 2-0 decision was a stark contrast to the high scoring games either team participated in last night, as the Islanders put up four goals in a 5-4 OT loss against Columbus on Friday night, while the Sabres netted five in a 5-4 win over the Devils. The Islanders had scored four-or-more goals for four straight games entering Saturday.
The Islanders had their fair share of chances in their 27 shots on goal. Pierre Engvall had a significant chance to break the stalemate in the final frame, as the speedy winger cut across the crease and attempted to stuff the puck under Comrie's pad but was denied.
"I thought he played great," Palmieri said of his linemate. "He was protecting the puck and he had a couple of looks and some chances off the rush and in the zone."
Head Coach Lane Lambert switched up the top line ahead of the matchup against the Sabres, slotting in Josh Bailey for Simon Holmstrom. Bailey missed the last four games and skated 11:40 on a line with Anders Lee and Bo Horvat.

VARLAMOV SOLID IN FIRST ACTION SINCE MARCH 11

While the Islanders offense had an off night, Semyon Varlamov was on, as he stopped 33-of-34 shots in his first start since Mar. 11.
"Phenomenal night by him," Lee said of Varlamov. "He deserved a goal or two from us tonight. He had some decent looks at times and gave us a chance."
The Russian netminder denied Dylan Cozens twice to keep the Islanders in the game. Varlamov made a huge save on a two-on-one in the first period, sliding across his crease to make a pad save on Cozens, who nearly had a wide-open net. Varlamov also denied a breakout opportunity from Cozens in the third period to keep the Islanders in it.
"He made some huge saves kept us in it," Palmieri said of Varlamov. "He gave us a chance and we know we are going to get that night-in and night-out from our goalies. Varly stepped up and played a great game."
"We get a good performance from him every night," Scott Mayfield said of Varlamov. "We got to put up a better effort for him."
The other side of the goaltending battle also saw a rested Eric Comrie, who made his first start since allowing 10 goals on Mar. 9. With his first shutout of the season, Comrie became the first goaltender in NHL history to give up 10 goals in a game (Mar. 9) and follow up with a shutout in his next start.

PENALTY KILL GOES 3-FOR-3:

The Islanders went three-for-three on the penalty kill, effectively shutting down Buffalo's fifth-ranked power play. The Isles held the Sabres - who had power-play goals in two straight games heading into Saturday - to three total shots with the man advantage.
"The kill was great," Lee said. "Guys are in lanes getting clears and doing what they have to do. Our penalty killing groups are a hard-working."
The Islanders are 10-for-13 on the penalty kill in their last five outings.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders host the New Jersey Devils on Monday night at UBS Arena. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.