Oilers vs. Sabres Recap: Sabres Start New Year With Win

by Zachary Zielonka on Jan 4, 2012 8:02 AM EST in Game Recaps

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 03: Drew Stafford #21, Derek Roy #9 and Nathan Gerbe #42 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrate Stafford's goal in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at First Niagara Center on January 3, 2012 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won 4-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres started 2012 with a win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night, but for the longest time it didn't seem like much changed. Two late third period goals pushed the Sabres to a 4-3 victory to give the Sabres their first regulation in the last five games.

It started really slow for the Sabres as the Oilers got the jump out of the gate. Taylor Hall scored the game's first goal at the ten minute mark of the first period as he rifled a shot over the glove of Ryan Miller. That goal culminated a ten minute portion of the period that saw the Oilers outshoot the Sabres 12-2. The Sabres did find something in the period and Jason Pominville was able to tie the game up six minutes later as he beat Nikolai Khabibulin on the blocker side. The Sabres were able to close the shot gap and finished the period being outshot 14-8.

The second period saw Jordan Leopold score early in the period and Sam Gagner score on a five on three power play. Other than that, it was a rather quiet period for both teams. The Sabres managed to outshoot the Oilers 12-5 and the fatigue factor started to set in for the Oilers after they arrived into Buffalo late on Tuesday morning.

The aforementioned third period saw the Sabres finally be able to convert on some late chances. Drew Stafford pounced on a loose puck in front of the net, one that Derek Roy was able to corral and get in front of the net. Two minutes later, Nathan Gerbe scored on a breakaway that was started by Drew Stafford in the defensive zone. The Oilers did get a goal from Corey Potter late in the third period, but that wasn't enough to register the win.

More player specific thoughts and the actual highlights after the jump.

- Ryan Miller did not look spectacular during this game. On two of the three goals he allowed, the shots were shot over his glove and the third goal he was just grossly out of position. Whether Miller has lost a little of that reaction time this season or something else is going on, but Miller has looked this pedestrian all season.

- The Derek Roy/Drew Stafford/Nathan Gerbe line looked solid tonight with Drew Stafford leading the line with three points on Tuesday night. It's only the second time this season that Stafford registered three points in a game, the other coming on November 11th against the Ottawa Senators. It was the New Year's Day game against the Boston Bruins that jump started the second half of his season last year and maybe this game is the spark that is needed for Stafford's game this year.

- Zack Kassian was back in the lineup, replacing Cody McCormick who was a healthy scratch. Kassian registered three shots on goal and one giveaway in the 11:25 of ice time that he did get. Kassian hasn't registered a point since December 16th against the Toronto Maple Leafs and when this roster gets healthier, it is probably time to send him back down to Rochester.

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Comments

Call me crazy

But I’d rather send Matt Ellis to Rochester than Kassian.

by Philaster on Jan 4, 2012 10:23 AM EST reply actions

I’d rather see him in Rochester than in the Press Box.

by Binthet on Jan 4, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Here’s the thing…..if Kassian is going to be playing once others are healthy (which I think is unlikely) then I agree. If he is going to be a healthy scratch, then he should go back to Rochester to play.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jan 4, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions

He did successfully outplay Matt Ellis against Edmonton, but not by very much.

Mike Weber Pressbox Incarceration Status: Free to roam the blueline.
"Ville Leino may stink but he’s still way better than Matt Ellis."

by Ubiquitous on Jan 4, 2012 10:35 AM EST reply actions

More upside. Love your sig by the way. It’s totally true.

by Philaster on Jan 4, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

We seen the same buf team give up in the last min or 2 of the game we had a 2 point lead and is schould have ended 5-2 but they gave up well we got a win I guess we can enjoy that for 4or 5 games

by justin1 on Jan 4, 2012 11:16 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I have no idea what this says and now my brain hurts.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jan 4, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Ever wonder why punctuation exists? Now you know.

by lassathrax on Jan 4, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

OW ow ow ow.

Enjoys long walks on the beach, Molson Canadian, and making the playoffs.

by AcesNines on Jan 4, 2012 6:24 PM EST up reply actions

Drew Stafford had 1G 2A?

I didn’t know he was still on the team. How about that.

by Munchausen on Jan 4, 2012 1:30 PM EST reply actions

I am crossing my fingers that this game was a turning point in our season.

We will make it to the half-way point on Saturday, and I hope that us getting healthier over the past few weeks will allow us to finally get out of our recent funk.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jan 4, 2012 1:35 PM EST reply actions

Miller

Although Miller’s play has been uncharacteristically inconsistent from what it was two years ago, I feel much more comfortable with him between the pipes rather than Enroth. I personally believe that Miller’s irratic play the past two years is the result of unresolved personal issues. I just hope that during the off season these issues get resolved and he returns to his former All World dominance.

As for Kassian, he has just assimilated into the Ruff “non-performance 20-minute system”. He now fits in nicely with Roy, Stafford, Myers, Ennis and all the other under achievers who make excuses game after game. In the Ruff “system” each player is only required to actually go all out for one or two shifts. The reamaining shifts he can relax and pretend to be a hockey player without really exerting himself too much. Ruff understands that asking hockey players to play aggressively and exert themselve each shift that they are on the ice is unfair. Also, it too much to ask for the players to communicate with each other and play like teammates with purpose.

The Sabres will continue to get no respect and to be the laughing stock of the NHL until the attitude of management changes and each player is held accountable for his failures.

by Geolover on Jan 4, 2012 1:51 PM EST reply actions

.

The Sabres will continue to get no respect and to be the laughing stock of the NHL until the attitude of management changes and each player is held accountable for his failures.

The beginning of that sounded like Rodney Dangerfield….and that is all I have to say about that.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jan 4, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

and that is all I have to say about that.

Forest Gump?

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Jan 4, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs