N.Y. Islanders: Look Who's Number One

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Speed, Strength, and a Slick Stick

SATURDAY

Sabres    2

Islanders 5

FINAL

With the Isles victory over the dull-edged Sabres on Saturday combined with Washington's loss against the Bruins at Boston on Friday, Long Island takes over first place of the East Division by a full two points.

As we know, Buffalo, with an NHL low 17 points, has more problems than a math book.  This game should have been and indeed turned into easy pickings.  

Literally the center of much trade speculation, Jack Eichel assisted on Jacob Bryson's abrupt goal just 0:33 seconds into the game.  But the Islanders put a quick damper on any further Buffalo aspirations they may have harbored.  The Islanders kept them off the board throughout the rest of the period and all of the second period as well.

In the meantime, Long Island erupted with four goals in the second period.  Mathew Barzal kicked things off with one of the more ridiculously amazing goals you'll see this season.  Brock Nelson and Cal Clutterbuck then put the Islanders ahead by two.  At the 15:29 mark of the second, Scott Mayfield made it a three-goal lead.

Buffalo once again scored inside the opening minute of the third period, when Sam Reinhart found net just 0:52 seconds in.  But Anders Lee would quickly cancel that out at 2:15 with his team-leading eleventh goal of the season.  

The Isles are now winners of four in a row and six of their last seven.  They've allowed the second least goal within the division, just one more than the Boston Bruins, and lead the East Division with a plus-14 point differential.