Sooner or later, it had to happen, and it did last night in Buffalo as in the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders. The time had come for the Islanders' first loss of the young season in regulation time.

Sooner or later, it had to happen, and it did last night in Buffalo as in the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders. The time had come for an Islanders first loss of the young season in regulation time.

Despite a valiant 40-save game put up by goalie Semyon Varlamov, his offense sputtered until Noah Dobson broke the "Schnei" in the game's final minute. 

It was, in fact, a 0-0 game until Jeff Skinner made the home crowd happy with the first goal of the night at 15:37 of the middle frame. For the Isles the game -- slowly but surely -- went downhill from there.

Five Causes of Defeat:

1. Law of Averages: Buffalo has missed the playoffs for a dozen straight years. The consensus is that the Isles faced a young, fast team from Western New York that will make it to the postseason.

2. Scoring Woes: When your club is outshot almost two to one on the night, there's less hope for victory.

3. Power Play Failing: Coach Lane Lambert's skaters had three chances to score earlier in the contest on the man advantage but struck out on the trio of man advantages.

4. Not Getting The Jump: For the first time this season, the opposition scored the first goal. Plus, Buffalo's late second-period goal at 19:23 helped to deflate the Visitors.

5. The Parity Challenge: There are no soft touches in the Metropolitan Division, and that goes for the predicted bottom feeders: Philadelphia, Columbus, and Washington. Making the playoffs will be a season-long challenge for Lambert's sextet, as it was last year. Only this time, Buffalo is icing its best team in 13 years.

The Plus Department:

1. Noah Dobson: Although his goal was too late to help, the warhorse played a team-high 24:44. which looms as the portent of things to come for N.D.

2. Netminding: Varly's effort was as noble and competent as any Isles fan could expect.

3. Aggression: The Orange and Blue outhit the home club 39-16.

4. Penalty Kill: Coming off a rough effort against the Devils, the PK crew stopped all three of the Sabres power plays.

5. Nobody's Perfect: Parity in the Met Division means, You win some; You lose some.

Quote Of The Game: 

"We have to manage the puck better."  -Lane Lambert.

Next Up: The Avalanche at UBS on Tuesday.