ELMONT, N.Y. — To get the three wins this week that would greatly enhance their playoff chances, the Islanders had to win the first one first.
So now it’s on to Pittsburgh after a critical 3-2 victory over the Sabres on Tuesday night at UBS Arena with all three goals coming from bottom-six forwards.
The Islanders (33-25-8) maintained a one-point lead over the Penguins, who have played three fewer games, for the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card spot. They moved six points ahead of the Sabres (32-27-4), who have also played three fewer games but are in a 1-4-0 skid.
