UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Matt Martin scored twice and the New York Islanders beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 in the opener of a three-game series.
Noah Dobson, Anthony Beauvillier and Jordan Eberle also scored for New York and rookie Ilya Sorokin stopped 16 shots.
The Islanders improved to 5-0-1 in their last six overall and 8-0-2 at the Nassau Coliseum to remain the only team without a regulation loss at home.
Taylor Hall and Rasmus Ristolainen scored for Buffalo, which has lost five straight. The Sabres are 2-8-1 since taking a two-week break for a COVID outbreak.
Jonas Johansson finished with a career-high 40 saves in his second start this season.