Sabres out to flash playoff credentials vs. weary Islanders

The New York Islanders spent the last two weeks far away from home confirming their status as a fading playoff contender.

The Buffalo Sabres barely had to leave the Eastern time zone to continue one of the most surprising in-season comebacks in memory.

The Islanders will finally return home Saturday afternoon, when they host the red-hot Sabres in a battle of teams occupying Eastern Conference playoff spots.

The Islanders last played Wednesday, when they concluded a seven-game road trip by falling to the Seattle Kraken 4-1.