Jason Zucker produced a "Gordie Howe hat-trick" on Friday night, but it was not enough for the Buffalo Sabres in a 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center.The Sabres took advantage of their second power play chance early in the first period to open up a one-goal lead.

That makes two losses in a row now for the Buffalo Sabres as they drop a disappointing 4-3 decision to the New York Islanders.

Buffalo once again missed assignments on defense, had sloppy puck management and an inability to win battles for loose pucks.

The New York Islanders defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 Friday night despite suffering multiple injuries to three of their defenseman. Alexander Romanov had missed the Islanders’ previous three games with an upper-body injury and temporarily went to the locker room but later returned.