A two-game first period lead wasn't enough for the New York Islander Saturday, as the Isles fell to the Buffalo Sabres, 4-3, in a shootout in a Eastern Conference contest at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Islanders (21-22-8, 50 points) lost to the Sabres 22-24-5, 50 points) for the first time in three tries and failed to reach the .500 mark for the first time since Oct.
Buffalo's Brad Boyes and Jason Pominville each netted shoutout goals on New York goaltender Al Montoya to complete the comeback. Paul Gaustad tallied the game-tying goal mid-way through the third period.
In overtime, the Islander had a chance to win the game but failed to take advantage of an power-play opportunity.
New York center Frans Nielsen finished the game with two goals and an assist, while Montoya spotted 34 shots.
For more on the Islanders, head over to the SB Nation blog Lighthouse Hockey.