NHL: Buffalo 4, N.Y. Islanders 3 (SO)

BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Ales Kotalik's shootout goal Saturday night gave the Buffalo Sabres a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders, who tied the game with 2 seconds left in regulation.

The Islanders trailed by two with 1:34 left in the third period but got goals from Mike Comrie at 18:26 and Chris Campoli at 19:58 to send the game to overtime. After a scoreless extra period, Kotalik went first in the shootout and lifted a backhand past Isles' goalie Joey MacDonald.

Ryan Miller denied Richard Park, and after Drew Stafford put the puck past McDonald, Miller turned away a shot by Kyle Okposo to seal the victory -- the Sabres' first after a three-game losing streak.

Jochen Hecht, Jason Pominville and Clarke MacArthur scored for Buffalo and Miller ended up with 32 saves.

Jeff Tambellini scored the other goal for the Islanders, who have won just once in December and have 11 losses in their last 12 games. MacDonald finished with 34 saves.