A review from Toronto saved the Islanders late in regulation. Rookie Mathew Barzal saved them in overtime.
Barzal’s overtime heroics followed Josh Bailey’s video-review equalizer in regulation to give the Islanders a win they shouldn’t have had, sneaking past the Sabres, 3-2, in overtime Wednesday night at Barclays Center.
With the Islanders trailing 2-1 in the last minute of the third period, Bailey’s back-door attempt appeared to be swiped away by Sabres goaltender Robin Lehner, but the momentum of the puck dragged his glove across the goal line with 1:09 remaining. But played continued on until 34.3 seconds were left, which is when play was blown dead, officials consulted video review, awarded Bailey the goal and the Islanders a new life.
“It was a nice horn to hear,” joked coach Doug Weight, who likened his team’s effort to gritty.
Bailey credited John Tavares for a beautiful cross-ice pass that resulted in one of the captain’s two assists on the night.
“I just saw [Lehner’s] glove snap back a little bit but I still wasn’t sure,” said Bailey, who extended his point streak to nine games. “I would have rather had some clarity rather than wait it out like that but I’m happy with how it worked out.”
Though the final moments had drama, the Islanders’ second win in a row largely lacked the glitz or offensive fireworks that were displayed in Saturday’s 5-2 win over the Jets.
After a scoreless but physical first period for both teams, the Islanders amped up the pressure at the start of the second. Numerous early rushes fell short until Jason Chimera rewarded the Islanders’ hustle when he cleaned up a rebound of Cal Clutterbuck’s shot at 3:41. It was just Chimera’s second goal in 37 games this season.
The Islanders squandered the lead near the midway point in the second when Zemgus Girgensons tapped one past Jaroslav Halak at 9:43.
Halak made his third consecutive start in the Islanders’ merry-go-round net, after coming off a strong, 38-save performance on Saturday. Against the Sabres, Halak once again looked strong, weathering the storm on four Buffalo power plays, and stopped numerous breakaways, like Jordan Nolan’s last-frame rush.
Halak was particularly strong in the third period, despite giving up a soft goal to former Islander Kyle Okposo at 11:33. He finished with 35 saves on the night.
“He had a great game. He kept us in it,” said Weight, who credited Halak’s rebound control. “He kept us in it in the third. It’s huge for him and huge for the team.”
The Islanders’ offense was mostly dormant in the third period. Weight said he was impressed with the first 40 minutes of the game, but was once again left dissatisfied with their final showing, which was largely because of the Sabres controlling the neutral zone.
“[Buffalo] lined up on the blue line. They were knocking pucks out of the air and had a good gap. They frustrated us. We’re fortunate some good players made some good plays,” Weight said about the third.
The Islanders were outshot 14-7 in the final period before the game went to overtime. Barzal, who notched his first career hat trick on Saturday, sprinted off the boards before ripping one past Lehner for his fourth goal in two games.
Weight credited Bailey and Tavares, before Barzal, for what was essentially a perfect line change in overtime.
“It was a good shot,” Weight said about Barzal’s winner. “I was glad he didn’t decide to skate through everybody and deke them.”