Defense Paying Off For the Sabres

For the last three games the Buffalo Sabres have grasped the concept of "respect for your own goal".  It's something coach Phil Housley has been preaching all season and now it seems to be sinking in.  The latest evidence is a 3-1 win over a tough New York Islanders club Tuesday night at KeyBank Center.

Over the first three games of their seven-game home stand the Sabres gave up 17 goals.  Over the last three games they've given up only five and it's the kind of hockey they need to play if they hope to make the playoffs.  Everyone seems to have bought into the concept of defense being a team effort.

Jack Eichel had only one shot on goal, but he set Jeff Skinner and Jason Pominville for goals to extend his point streak to six games.  Skinner's goal was his 34th of the season while Pominville 13th turned out to be the game winner.  Johan Larsson clinched it when he nudged the puck across the goal line after a Kyle Okposo shot dribbled thru the legs of Robin Lehner.

There was only one penalty in the game and it went to the Islanders.

Linus Ullmark meanwhile made 24 saves as the Sabres improve to 3-1-1 in the last five games.  The Sabres again have another opportunity to string a pair of wins together when they host the Rangers on Friday night.  The Sabres have gone two months without winning back to back games.