New York Islanders Clinch Playoffs in 5-1 Win Over Buffalo Sabres (Highlights)

The New York Islanders punched their ticket to the playoffs with an outstanding 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

A win was all the New York Islanders needed to get into the 2019 playoffs. It didn’t matter what the Montreal Canadiens or Columbus Blue Jackets did in their games. A win and they’re in.

After playing a full 60 minutes from that come from behind win against the Winnipeg Jets, the Islanders continued their strong play against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Isles scored in each of the three periods, outshot the Sabres in all three periods, and left with the win. And, much more importantly, a return to the playoff for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

First Period

As soon as the puck dropped, the New York Islanders were all over the Buffalo Sabres. Sustained offensive pressure, shots towards goal, and just generally skating circles around the Sabres. The Islanders knew what was on the line with a win, and they were going for it.

Under eight minutes into the first frame, Jordan Eberle continued his goal scoring form by putting in his fourth in four games.

Credit Mathew Barzal for one heck of an assist on that play. Eberle is scoring like we hoped he could at the start of the season and Barzal is back to his Calder winning form from 2017-18.

With a penalty shot awarded to Anthony Beauvillier, the Islanders should have been up by more than one. But after 20, the Islanders were only up 1-0 on the scoreboard and up 16-8 in shots and held a 60 percent Corsi-For. Domination.

Second Period

After being denied on a penalty shot in the first period, Anthony Beauvillier finally got on the scoreboard thanks to a nice feed from Devon Toews at the blueline.

Beauvillier hadn’t scored a goal since March 7th. That’s 12 games without a goal for Beau. Along with an assist in Winnipeg, that’s the first time Beau puts up points in back-to-back games since December 29th.

Hopefully, that’s a sign that the former first-round pick in 2015 is back.

The Isles domination would continue through the second period as the Islanders continued to control the play in the Sabres zone. Thirty seconds before the end of the period they’d be rewarded again, this time with Michael Dal Colle would score his third of the season to make it 3-0.

Third Period

The Islanders ended the second period with a goal, and thanks to a drive by Ryan Pulock they started the third period with a goal.

Ryan Pulock has truly become the Islanders number one defender. This goal was his ninth goal of the season and 37th point of the season. And he’s logging a ton of ice.

Add a second goal from Anthony Beauvillier thanks to a pretty tick-tack-tow between Komarov, Bailey and Beau and the Islanders were heading back to the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16.

Final Thoughts

It was a masterful display by the New York Islanders. They had their foot on the gas from the second the puck dropped and were rewarded handsomely for it.

The after three shutouts in five games, the Islanders have responded with back-to-back games with five-goal nights. Everything seems to be trending in the right direction as they now officially head to the playoffs.

Celebrate Islanders fans. You deserved it.