Rasmus Ristolainen nets his second OT game-winner for Buffalo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres rallied for a 3-2 come-from-behind overtime victory over the New York Islanders on Friday night at the KeyBank Center.
Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen ripped a shot off a pass from former Islander Kyle Okposo in overtime for the game-winner. It was just Ristolainen’s second goal of the season, but both times they came in overtime.
Trailing 1-0 early in the second period, Johan Larsson redirected a shot by Ristolainen past Isles goalie Jean-Francois Berube to knot the game at 1-1. The assist was Ristolainen’s team-leading 19th of the season.
However, the Islanders capitalized on a slashing call against Greece native Brian Gionta and scored on the ensuing power play to regain the lead, 2-1, 6:39 into the second period as Spencerport native Shane Prince assisted on the goal. Prince finished the game with 3 shots on goal.
In the third period, Matt Moulson shot the puck off a New York defender, while on a power play, to tie the game once again at 2-2. Evander Kane and team captain Gionta drew assists on the play that sent the game to overtime.
Buffalo netminder Robin Lehner was outstanding for the Sabres as he registered 33 saves.
Buffalo improved to 12-11-6 for 30 points, to move out of the basement and into 6th place in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. The Sabres trailed 5th place Florida by 1 point and have 2 games-in-hand on the Panthers. Tampa Bay is in 4th place with 32 points as Buffalo has 1 game-in-hand on the Lightning.