New York Islanders 3 Takeaways from 3-1 Loss to Buffalo Sabres

1 of 4

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 07: Jack Eichel #15 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against Thomas Hickey #14 of the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on October 7, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders dropped only their fourth regulation loss since December 31st with a 3-1 L to the Buffalo Sabres. Here are the three takeaways from the game.

Since last playing each other on December 31st 2018, the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres have gone in opposite direction in the NHL standings.

For the New York Islanders they’ve gone 12-3-2 for 26 points of a possible 34 points. That has the Islanders at the top of the Metropolitan Division with a five point cushion.

For the Buffalo Sabres, they’ve gone a dismal 6-8-1 for 13 points from a possible 30. That type of form obviously finds them on the outside of the playoffs picture (by four points).

The Sabres needed a win to keep their playoff hopes going. While a win for the New York Islanders would give them their fourth win in a row. And if the Columbus Blue Jackets could do their part, an Isles win would also extend their lead at the top of the Metro.

But thanks to goals from Jeff Skinner, Jason Pominville, and Johan Larsson and a bad second period from the New York Islanders, the Buffalo Sabres would get the ‘W’ by a score of three goals to one.

The game was only the fourth time that the New York Islanders would loss in regulation since the 31st of December. What are the three take