Islanders Offense Shines In Home Opener Win Over Buffalo (Highlights)

The New York Islanders won their home opener by a score of 6-3 over the Buffalo Sabres. The offense came alive tonight in the win.

After an ugly 5-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the New York Islanders bounced back with a solid w against the Buffalo Sabres. It was a combination of the offense and strong goalie play that was the story.

The Islanders were able to strike first to get a quick lead, something they needed after a lackluster performance 24 hours ago. It was rather fitting that John Tavares was the one to net the Islanders first goal of the season from one of his newest teammates Jordan Eberle.

The goal hopefully is a sign of things to come, as Isles fans salivated over the nifty play from the new elite Tavares winger.

The Isles looked quick in the first, and despite being outshot they were outplaying the visiting Sabres team.

In the second is when things really started to open up. In the span of 1:47 the Isles scored three goals. Two of which were shorthanded.

John Tavares was able to steal a poor pass in the Sabres zone and ended up netting his second of the game. Then, 50 seconds later, Cizikas took a wicked slap shot that beat Robin Lehner to extend the Isles lead. It wasn’t over after that Josh Ho-Sang came out of the penalty box and was able to set up Josh Bailey for the Isles third goal of the period.

The Isles had all the momentum, that is until Evander Kane took advantage of a poor play from Jaorslav Halak. At 10:09 in the second he was able to get the Sabres on the board. Five minutes later he added his second shorthanded goal of the evening inching Buffalo closer.

Five minutes into the third period Anthony Beauvillier was able to give the Isles some breathing room with his first goal of the season. The goal was a product of a strong shift featuring linemates Josh Ho-Sang and Casey Cizikas.

With just under four minutes left in the contest, Jack Eichel beat Jaroslav Halak and brought the Sabres within two once more.

After Halak bailed out the Isles a few more times following the Eichel goal, Casey Cizikas added an empty-netter to put a nice bow on the home opener. The Isles won by a final of 6-3.

The story of the evening was the emergence of the offense and the strong play of Halak who stopped 14 of 15 even strength shots. Both Casey Cizikas and John Tavares had three points on the night.

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It wasn’t easy, but a win is a win. The Isles look to build off of their performance tonight as they go up against St Louis on Monday for a matinee Columbus Day game.