The Upshot: Hudson Fasching leads Islanders to 3-2 win over Buffalo Sabres

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Islanders scored twice in the third period and held on for a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at UBS Arena on Thursday night. Hudson Fasching broke a 2-2 tie at 7:37 of the third period when the puck redirected off his shin and into the net for a goal. Josh Bailey also scored in the third period, and Casey Cizikas had a goal and an assist for the Islanders (33-25-8). The team improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven games without Mathew Barzal. Ilya Sorokin made 22 saves in the win. Dylan Cozens and Kyle Okposo had the Buffalo goals. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 36 saves in the loss.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

How about Hudson Fasching? After the game, teammate Casey Cizikas proclaimed Fasching as a "monster down low." He was exactly that on Cizikas' goal that tied the game 1-1 in the second period. For the game, Fasching had a goal and an assist and now has four points in his last four games. The Zeeker goal was his first in 21 games.

WHAT WENT WRONG

This isn't something that went wrong, but it is something worth watching moving forward. Noticeably absent in the third period was the newly acquired Pierre Engvall. Fans on social media speculated that he suffered an injury, but after the game, head coach Lane Lambert clarified why he took only two shifts and was replaced by Simon Holmstrom on the top line late in the game.

STATS OF THE GAME

Per NewYorkIslanders.com, the Islanders dominated at the dot on Tuesday, winning 32-of-50 face-offs, aka 64%. Tuesday also marked the second straight game the Isles won over 64% of their face-offs, an impressive feat considering JG Pageau missed his 10th straight game on Tuesday.

"With Pageau out it's really called on a lot of us to step up and be put in certain situations to get key draws," Cizikas said. "We're battling out there and when you wind draws, you have possession and that's something that we've done well so far."

Bo Horvat won 15 of his team-high 25 draws, while Brock Nelson won 8-of-12 (67%), and Cizikas won six of his eight (75%). 

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

The young fan was channeling his inner Dan Feeney during the game.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders look for a season sweep of the Penguins when the travel to Pittsburgh on Thursday night. Face-off is set for 7:00 PM ET