Sabres turn the page, look ahead to matchup with Islanders

With another key Eastern Conference matchup awaiting them on Monday, the Sabres came to work at Harborcenter Sunday morning and put their overtime loss to Boston in the rearview mirror.
It's been mentioned as a point of emphasis throughout this season, the importance of staying even keel through the highs and lows of an 82-game season. Alternate captain Zach Bogosian said they kept that same mentality after letting a one-goal lead slip away late against the Bruins.
"I think the guys' spirits were up," Bogosian said. "Obviously we're not happy with the result last night but that being said, we can't get better today worrying about yesterday. We've got to make sure we're pushing forward. Today's a brand-new day. We're looking forward for tomorrow."

The Sabres close out 2018 with a home game against the New York Islanders, who have won six of their last seven games following a 4-0 shutout victory in Toronto on Saturday. Their recent run puts them a point out of a playoff spot, four back from the Sabres.
Sabres coach Phil Housley said he was happy with his team's overall performance in the loss on Monday, which turned on kneeing penalty assessed to Rasmus Ristolainen with 3:43 remaining in regulation. Boston tied the game on the ensuing power play and went on to win in overtime.
"I don't think there's a big concern," Housley said. "I think we played a heck of a game last game. It's just, you know, continuing to fight on. We've got a tough test tomorrow against the Islanders, playing pretty good hockey. They're well-balanced throughout their lineup. We're going to have to have another solid effort."
The Sabres benefitted from secondary scoring against the Bruins, with Johan Larsson and Marco Scandella contributing goals. Housley continued to tweak his forward lines on Sunday in an effort to get others going, swapping Kyle Okposo and Evan Rodrigues' places in the lineup. Rodrigues joined a line with Conor Sheary and Vladimir Sobotka while Okposo skated with Remi Elie and Johan Larsson.
Larsson's simple, consistent game has helped elevate the play of his linemates this season, with Rodrigues being the most recent benefactor in a four shot, one assist performance on Sunday. Housley expressed hope that the move could help Okposo, mired in a 21-game goal scoring drought, get back to basics.

"I wouldn't read in too much about the lines," Housley said. "We're just trying to create more balance and I think Larry's played terrific hockey. We just want him to get back and focus on his power forward game, going to the net hard, having guys hanging on his back, and when he does that he's really effective.
"... I really liked their line in practice. They were just going to the net hard and creating. Hopefully that will transfer into tomorrow."
Jack Eichel took a maintenance day Sunday but is expected to be in the lineup against New York. Scott Wilson, rehabbing his way back from early-season ankle surgery, filled in between Jeff Skinner and Sam Reinhart in Eichel's absence.
Linus Ullmark returned to the ice after an illness kept him from dressing for Saturday's game. Scott Wedgewood was assigned to Rochester following practice.
Here's how the Sabres lined up in full on Sunday:
53 Jeff Skinner - 20 Scott Wilson* - 23 Sam Reinhart
43 Conor Sheary - 37 Casey Mittelstadt - 71 Evan Rodrigues
72 Tage Thompson - 17 Vladimir Sobotka - 29 Jason Pominville
81 Rem Elie - 22 Johan Larsson - 21 Kyle Okposo
19 Jake McCabe - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
82 Nathan Beaulieu - 4 Zach Bogosian
6 Marco Scandella - 26 Rasmus Dahlin
48 Matt Hunwick - 24 Lawrence Pilut
40 Carter Hutton
35 Linus Ullmark
31 Scott Wedgewood
\Filling in for Jack Eichel, who took a maintenance day*