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The New York Islanders won their first game after the holiday break, beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-1 tonight.
The Islanders had four COVID-related absences in Sebastian Aho, Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and Oliver Wahlstrom, while Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock remain on injured reserve. Meanwhile, Michael Dal Colle each entered the lineup for the first time this season.
Mathew Barzal got the Islanders on the board a little over halfway through the opening frame, taking a pass from Josh Bailey in a good spot and beating Malcolm Subban. The Sabres evened the game on a power play, however, after Semyon Varlamov couldn’t hang onto a rebound and Kyle Okposo buried it to tie the game 1-1 before the end of the period.
In the second frame, Kieffer Bellows gave the Islanders the lead once again with a really nice shot off a rush. Then later in the period, Anders Lee battled for a puck in front of the net on a power play, lifting it past Subban to put the Islanders up 3-1.
In the third period, Noah Dobson was able to extend the lead midway through the frame, sneaking a point shot through Subban. The Islanders held on after that, picking up a 4-1 win.
So dating back to their win over the Ottawa Senators in early December, the Islanders are now 4-2-1 in their last seven games – and they’ve picked up seven of eight points in their last four games at UBS Arena. There’s still a lot of ground to make up, but they’re slowly building some momentum.
Kieffer Bellows has also been on a roll lately, with three goals and six points over his last six games. He’s been more involved and will be worth keeping an eye on over the next period of games.
Semyon Varlamov was also really solid in the win tonight, stopping 36 of 37 shots.
The Islanders’ next game comes on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.
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Supersurvey
OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Islanders’ losing streak reaches 11 games
Islanders finally snap losing streak with win over Senators
Islanders place Anatolii Golyshev on waivers to terminate contract
Islanders allow late goal in loss to Predators, remain winless at UBS Arena
Islanders finally pick up first win at UBS Arena, beat Devils 4-2
Islanders fail to build momentum, lose 2-1 to Red Wings
Islanders pick up win over Bruins
Islanders lose to Golden Knights in shootout, game vs. Canadiens postponed
Islanders' upcoming game vs. Capitals postponed
Islanders are down but not out after disastrous start to the season
Islanders have no prospects at World Juniors, game vs. Sabres postponed
Islanders' game vs. Red Wings postponed 
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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