Sabres Hold on to Defeat Islanders: Move Within 6 Points of 8th Place

Well, if you can't beat them the first time, play them again. Two days after the Sabres lost to the Islanders 5-2 in Buffalo, the two teams took the ice again but this time in Uniondale, New York.

Unlike the previous matchup in which the Sabres lost, this time time they came out on top as the Sabres won 5-3.

The Sabres got off to a very fast start as Paul Gaustad scored 15 seconds into the game to put the Sabres ahead 1-0.

The game remained 1-0 Sabres until the second period when the game opened up.

Matt Moulson scored his first of two goals on the night 1:15 into the second period on a power-play goal assisted by John Tavares.

Then, less then four minutes later, Tyler Ennis scored for the Sabres to put them back ahead at 2-1.

Continuing the trend of the back and forth game, Matt Moulson added his 2nd goal of the night for the Islanders midway through the second period to tie the game at 2-2.

The game entered the third period tied at 2-2 when Buffalo decided to set the tone.

Nathan Gerbe and Tyler Myers both scored early in the third period to put the Sabres ahead 4-2.

But the Islanders didn't give up at the first sign of adversity. Jack Hillen scored with a little over three and a half minutes remaining in the third period to bring the Islanders within a goal at 4-3.

But it wasn't meant to be for the Islanders on this night.

Jason Pominville added an empty net goal with under a minute remaining in the game and the Sabres went on to win 5-3.

With the win, the Sabres move within 6 points of Atlanta for the final playoff spot in the eastern conference with three games in hand.

With the win, the Sabres continued their streak of good play in January as they move to 7-3-1 during the month.

The Sabres next play January 25th at Ottawa. It will be there last game before the All Star Game.

Attendance: 10,120

Buffalo's Record: 22-21-5 (49 points)

Points Back of Playoffs: 6 points back of Atlanta (3 games in hand)

Last 10: 6-3-1

Interesting Note: Nathan Gerbe has 3 goals the last 2 games

Key Stat: The Sabres are 7-3-1 in the month of January

Three Stars:

1st- Tyler Ennis (Buffalo)

2nd- Matt Moulson (New York Islanders)

3rd- Ryan Miller (Buffalo)