This was the type of game the Buffalo Sabres would have found a way to lose last season, instead they narrowly escaped with a 3-2 victory against a very good Philadelphia Flyers team. It was a win the team should be proud of despite being thoroughly outplayed by the Flyers in the final 40 minutes. The Flyers scored twice in the third period and outshot the Sabres 15-5 in the final frame but a tip in goal by Paul Gaustad and more outstanding goaltending from Ryan Miller lifted the Sabres to their third consecutive victory.
This game also marked the first time in three tries the Sabres were able to successfully complete the second game of a back-to-back situation, previously losing to Atlanta on October 17 and losing to the Boston Bruins last Saturday night. Making this win more impressive for Buffalo was the fact the win came on the road. The Flyers did not play last night while the Sabres played a physical game against the Calgary Flames.
The Flyers were able to handle the Sabres easily last week by playing a physical brand of hockey. That was the strategy again tonight with the Sabres having played last night and the Flyers being rested. The difference this time around was the Sabres were willing to push back. Philadelphia easily outhit the Sabres, the total numbers were 24-10 but the Sabres never backed down.
This is a win the Sabres can build off of as they try to erase the memories of last season. They beat a good team on the road and they broke their back-to-back streak.