Dylan Cozens scored 12 seconds into overtime to fuel the host Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin’s stretch pass from deep in his own zone caught Cozens in stride just outside the opposition’s blue line. Cozens skated in and beat Ilya Sorokin for his 15th goal of the season and his first career overtime tally.
Buffalo’s Victor Olofsson scored midway through the third period and Alex Tuch netted his career-best 22nd goal of the season. Dahlin notched two assists and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 24 saves for the Sabres, who posted just their second win in their last seven games (2-4-1).
Prior to the game, the Sabres honored Ryan Miller by admitting him into the team’s Hall of Fame and raising his No. 30 to the rafters at KeyBank Center. The former Vezina Trophy recipient was presented with a sword by owner Terry Pegula during the ceremony.
New York’s Brock Nelson scored to snap a 14-game goal drought and Matt Martin also tallied. Sorokin turned aside 42 shots for the Islanders, who have lost three in a row and seven of their last eight games (1-4-3).
The Islanders opened the scoring at 7:19 of the first period.
Nelson wired a cross-ice feed to Anthony Beauvillier before making a hard drive to the back post. Beauvillier wired the puck back to Nelson, who beat Buffalo’s JJ Peterka to the far post.
Nelson’s goal was his team-leading 16th of the season and first since Dec. 17.
Tuch forged a tie at 8:26 of the second period, cleaning up a rebound after Dahlin’s point shot caromed off the skate of New York defenseman Scott Mayfield.
Casey Cizikas circled the back of the net before sliding a cross-slot feed that Martin converted to give New York a 2-1 lead with 1:30 remaining in the second period. Martin’s goal was his fifth of the season and second in his last three games.
Olofsson scored from the left circle to forge a tie at 9:32 of the third period. The goal was Olofsson’s 19th of the season and fourth in his last five games.
–Field Level Media