Islanders win a tight one in Buffalo for ninth straight victory

The New York Islanders have won games in pretty much every way imaginable.  They’ve scrapped together a win in a shootout, won many games in overtime and in the game against Ottawa played half the game with less than 10 forwards.

Saturday night in Buffalo was just another game that the Islanders found a way to win, no matter the circumstances.  Derick Brassard scored the lone goal in the contest, a shot off the back of Carter Hutton and in early in the first period.

Semyon Varlamov made 27 saves to complete the first shutout for him in an Islanders’ uniform.  The Isles also were excellent on the Penalty Kill, stopping all three Buffalo PPs.  Buffalo had previously been third in the entire NHL on the Power Play.

The combination of timely goals and excellent defense has been the identity of the Islanders since Barry Trotz became Head Coach.  Saturday night was just another example of that.  If anything, it was the perfect brand of Islander hockey.