The Buffalo Sabres broke a challenging 13-game losing streak with a commanding 7-1 victory over the New York Islanders, marking a significant turnaround for the team.
The decisive win came on Monday night at Elmont, N.Y., where the Sabres dominated by scoring twice in the first period, three times in the second, and sealed the game with two more goals in the third. This performance was crucial in breaking their month-long series of setbacks marked by a 0-10-3 record, which included several narrow defeats.
Captain Rasmus Dahlin, who led with four assists, underscored the satisfaction of the win but emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum. “We battled for a long time and finally it went our way,’’ Dahlin observed. He became the first Sabres defenseman to achieve four assists in a single game since February 2008.
Before Monday’s victory, Buffalo’s last win was a 4-2 game against San Jose on November 23. The team experienced a frustrating period, including a notable 5-4 loss to Colorado on December 3, where they lost despite having a significant lead. With this victory, the Sabres have temporarily alleviated their position as the last in the Eastern Conference with 28 points.
The Sabres showed resilience, particularly after a hard-fought 3-1 loss to the Boston team on the Saturday prior to their win against the Islanders. Boos from the Islanders’ home crowd at UBS Arena reflected Buffalo’s dominance in the game, highlighting their complete gameplay which had been missing during the losing streak.
Forward Jason Zucker, who contributed with the team’s third goal, commented on the psychological strain of their prior losses. “It’s really hard not to overthink when you’ve lost that many in a row, so I give our guys credit. It was fun to get that win going into the break,” Zucker remarked, indicating the relief and joy felt among team members after such a commanding triumph.
Coach Lindy Ruff, returning to lead the squad last summer after previously coaching from 1997-2013, reflected on his team’s dedication. “We denied a lot of plays in our end. It was a determined game,’’ Ruff stated. His support during their difficult period was apparent, and the win served as a morale boost for the Sabres.
Tage Thompson, leading the team with 17 goals, noted the win was a testament to the power of persistence and team commitment. “Tonight we said shift after shift we’re going to do the right things and let the chips fall where they may,” Thompson declared, pointing to the importance of maintaining focus and consistency.
The Buffalo Sabres’ victory over the New York Islanders represents a vital step forward following a grueling period of losses. As they enter the holiday break, the team looks to build on this success and continue improving their standing in the league.
Source: Local10
