Sabres Hold On to Beat Capitals

Although this was a boring game, it was nice to see the Sabres hold on to a lead this time.  Last Thursday the Sabres opened the pre-season by losing a late lead and eventually losing in overtime.  Tonight they scored two goals, 11 seconds apart in the second period and they never looked back.

The Buffalo goals were scored by Drew Stafford and Patrick Kaleta.  Stafford made a nice tip on a wrist shot from Chris Butler.  He parked himself in front of the goalie and got his stick on the shot and by the goalie Jose Theodore.  The Kaleta goal came off a hard working play from Felix Schutz.  Schutz had the first chance and Theodore made the stop but Schutz didn't give up and fed the pass out front for Kaleta.

Game Notes

• Sabres dominated the first period but they weren't able to find the back of the net.  The Sabres outshot Washington 11-4 in the first.
• Paul Gaustad did exactly what the people in Buffalo have been screaming for.  Jeff Cowan received a good hard check from John Erskine and Gaustad went after him.  The play resulted in a five minute power play for Washington.  The Sabres killed off the penalty but that might not happen everytime.  What is more important, staying out of the box or sticking up for your teammates?  Most Sabres fans think it's defending your teammates but I still believe it is staying out of te box.
• Tyler Myers looked much better tonight than he did on Thursday but I still believe that he needs another season in juniors before he can make a real impact in the NHL.
• Gerbe and Kennedy were playing on a line with Daniel Paille.  Knowing that Paille is likely to be on the fourth line you have to wonder the strategy.  Is Lindy Ruff gearing up to have a skilled fourth line instead of a physical one?  I think it was just a matter of convenience but it's impossible to figure out what Lindy Ruff is thinking.
• It looks like the line of Hecht-Gaustad and Grier is destined to be the Sabres checking line an dthey looked good tonight.  Hecht looked more comfortable tonight than he did all of last season.
• Patrick Lalime looked good and made a huge save in the third period to preserve the victory.
• Toni Lydman looked good and had one especially good shift where he took the puck away from Ovechkin on two different occasions.