by NEW YORK (AP) — Simon Holmström scored twice and Ilya Sorokin stopped 29 shots to earn the first shutout of the season as the Islanders beat the Buffalo Sabers 3-0 on Saturday night.
Anders Lee also scored for New York, which had lost three times in a row (0-2-1). Sorokin’s shutout was the 19th of his career.
James Reimer finished with 17 saves for the Sabers in their third straight loss.
Lee converted a pass from Kyle Palmieri at 7:23 of mid-period. It was Lee’s 10th of the season, tied with Palmieri and Brock Nelson for the team leader. Holmstrom followed with his sixth at 9:28 and added an empty-netter in the final seconds.
The Islanders improved to 2-2-2 in their last five games when leading after 40 minutes, and to 7-2-2 for the season with such a lead.
Takeaways
Sabres: Buffalo was shut out for the second time in three games.
Islanders: New York improved to 4-5-2 at UBS Arena. They are 5-5-4 on the road.
Key moment
Sorokin stopped Sabers forward Dylan Cozens with a dazzling save early in the second with the Sabers shorthanded.
Key statistics
The Islanders outscored their opponents 42-31 in the first and second periods, but were outscored 43-22 in the third period and overtime.
Following
The Sabers host Colorado on Tuesday to open a five-game homestand, and the Islanders travel to Montreal.
