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Nabokov, Islanders blank Sabres

Feb 24, 2013 - 3:37 AM Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Evgeni Nabokov stopped 35 shots to notch his 53rd career shutout on Saturday, as the New York Islanders blanked the Buffalo Sabres, 4-0, at First Niagara Center.

"I just play and react," Nabokov remarked. "I just try to be ready for the next shot and keep going. I don't want to think too much out there."

Mark Streit recorded a goal and an assist, while Michael Grabner, John Tavares and Colin McDonald each scored once for the Islanders, who have won two straight.

Ryan Miller allowed all four goals on 32 shots for Buffalo, which has lost four straight, including both games under interim head coach Ron Rolston.

Rolston replaced the fired Lindy Ruff, who had been the coach of the Sabres since July 21, 1997 and was the league's longest tenured head coach.

"You're not going to win games not scoring," Rolston admitted. "Still stretches playing some decent hockey and mistakes that are costly."

After a scoreless first frame, New York broke through with a pair of goals just 65 seconds apart late in the second stanza to take control.

The first came late in the period when Matt Moulson flipped a centering feed from the top of the right circle that a cutting Streit redirected past Miller from the low left side to make it 1-0 at the 17:51 mark.

Then, just over a minute later, Grabner intercepted a pass at his own blue line and charged in on a breakaway before slipping a shot through the five- hole of Miller to push the lead to 2-0 at the 18:56 mark.

Tavares added to the lead early in the third when he won a scrum behind the net and skated into the low slot before beating Miller to the stick-side to make it 3-0 at the 4:24 mark.

McDonald's power-play tally with 58 seconds left accounted for the final margin.

Game Notes

Buffalo had won three straight against New York, including a 3-2 decision earlier this month in New York ... Moulson registered two assists for the Islanders ... New York finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while Buffalo failed on all six of its chances with the man advantage.