Three full days rest, home game, opponent can't score and isn't good and sent their best player back home before the game, and had to play the second half of the game with 4 defensemen, and the Sabres couldn't handle them and didn't look very competitive for the vast majority of the game.
The Sabres were out worked and out skilled in many different situations and categories. Board battles, battles behind the goal lines, loose pucks ended up on Islander sticks rather than the Sabres. The Islanders give the Sabre little time and space and play a tight checking style. Almost 5 on 5, man for man. The Sabres ice awareness and situational decision making was quite deficient throughout the game. Just two slow and unpolished. NYI forwards harassed and shredded the Sabres D with speed and quickness while the NY D collapsed towards their own house and made it difficult for the Sabres to penetrate the slot. The Sabres repeatedly... esp on the PP and extra attacker situations were forced to keep the puck on the perimeter and send one timers and slap shots towards the net. Easily blocked and recovered by the Islanders. Power's goal was scored at the goal mouth. Cozen's goal was an open net on the backside as he charged the net. I don't remember the last Sabre goal but it wasn't a finesse tic tack toe play.
The Sabres style of play is not compatible with the Islanders. (NYI: Tightly grind it out, keep shot totals down, and physically engage.)
And they were missing their best player.............