Semyon Varlamov made 34 saves and J-G Pageau scores a late powerplay winner to give the Islanders a 3-2 victory and their third in three tries over the Buffalo Sabres.
The win bumped the Islanders up to a momentary tie for second-most points in the East Division, with 21 points in 18 games. (The Capitals have 21 in 17 games.)
It was far from pretty, and not anywhere near as assuring as the previous two wins over the Sabres. But the Islanders received timely contributions on specials teams, D and goaltending from throughout the lineup.