ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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BUFFALO -- Despite out-shooting the New York Islanders by a 43-33 margin, the Buffalo Sabres could muster only one goal against netminder Thomas Greiss, falling 2-1 at First Niagara Center Thursday night.

Frans Nielson got the Islanders on the board first, scoring a power-play goal at 9:35 of the second period. The goal was assisted by John Tavares and Nick Leddy.

Just 1:07 into the third period, Nikolay Kulemin put New York up 2-0, assisted by Kyle Okposo and Johnny Boychuk. Sabres forward Ryan O’Reilly made it 2-1 at 11:18 with a power play goal fed by Jack Eichel, who has three points in the last two games.

The Sabres (15-19-4) have lost four of their past five and three straight at home. They next play the Detroit Red Wings at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Niagara Center.

NOTES: 

• With the loss, the Sabres fell to 6-12-1 when outshooting opponents and to 2-4-0 in the second game of a back-to-back set.
• Buffalo is now 13-12-5 all-time on New Year's Eve, including a 12-10-3 record at home and a 1-3-1 record in home games against the Islanders (1982, 1989, 1995, 2002, 2015).
• With his goal tonight, Ryan O'Reilly has 17 points (8+9) in his last 17 games.
• O'Reilly led all Sabres in points in 2015 with 67 points (25+42) in 83 games, topping his previous single-year high of 58 in 78 games (2014).
• Jack Eichel's assist tonight gave him nine points (2+7) in his last six games.
• With his 17th assist and 25th point of the season, Rasmus Ristolainen finished the game ranked in the top 10 among NHL defensemen in goals, assists and points.
• In two games against the Islanders this season, Linus Ullmark is 1-1-0 with a .952 save percentage and a 1.52 goals-against average.

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