Score: Sabres 4 | Islanders 2
Shots: BUF 40 | NYI 36
Sabres Goals: Tage Thompson (7), Rasmus Asplund (7), Sam Reinhart (24, 25)
Islanders Goals: Adam Pelech (4), Oliver Wahlstrom (11)
Observation 1 | The Man of the Hour
Michael Houser, a 28-year old rookie, made his first career NHL start in this game. That alone should be considered impressive. Add the pressure of this game being Houser’s first professional start since March 7, 2020 against Toledo Walleye of the ECHL.
Houser had amassed 210 ECHL starts and 73 AHL starts prior to his NHL debut.