Buffalo Sabres drop New York Islanders in OT (Highlights)
Dec 16, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) is mobbed by his teammates after he scored the winning goal against New York Islanders goalie Jean-Francois Berube (30) during the overtime period at KeyBank Center. Sabres beat the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Despite going up 2-1, John Tavares and the New York Islanders fall to the Buffalo Sabres in overtime. 

  • New York Islanders 2 (11-13-6, 28 pts)
  • Buffalo Sabres 3 (12-11-6, 30 pts)
  • NHL, Final, Box Score
  • KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York

It’s been a season of close losses for the New York Islanders and nothing epitomizes that better than Friday’s game. From jumping out to a lead, to losing it, to taking another lead, and losing it again, nothing seems to be showing signs of forward progression.

One would have that the additions of veterans Andrew Ladd and Jason Chimera would at least compensate for the losses of Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo. It has been nothing but the contrary. Winning games against the Blues, Rangers, and Capitals, teams which would certainly be considered elite, showed signs of how good the team can be. But losses against teams like the Sabres, and surprisingly impressive Blue Jackets, shows their true colors.

The game began even, eventually broken up by a quick Ryan Strome wrister from between the circles about thirteen minutes in. Scoreless for the remainder of the first, Buffalo struck back with a slap-shot from the point, with an Islander struggling to stay on his feet to the right of the goal.

Only a few minutes later, the Islanders managed to squeeze out a goal from a net mouth mess consisting of eight of the nine skaters on the ice. No doubt about it, however, Ex-Isle Matt Moulson took the lead away again, three minutes into the next period. All fans fearing a last-minute go-ahead goal by the Sabres, the two teams headed to OT.

It didn’t take long. Forty-seven seconds into the free period, Buffalo’s Ristolainen took a pass from Kyle Okposo to take the extra point from their cross-state rival.

Questions need to be answered, Mr. Snow.

 NEXT: Blackhawks knock off Islanders (Highlights) 

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