Dylan Cozens tallies first point against former team, but Jacob Bernard-Docker answers back
Score: Senators 2 | Sabres 3
Shots: OTT 32 | BUF 24
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Jack Quinn (11), Jacob Bernard-Docker (2), Tage Thompson (35)
Ottawa Senators Goals: Brady Tkachuk (29-PP), David Perron (7-PP)
Plus-1: Bouncing Back
In their first matchup since trading former teammate Dylan Cozens, the Sabres let their opponents score first in the opening minutes of the first period. It was Ottawa’s captain Brady Tkachuk who gave the visitors an early lead following a beautiful setup from who? None other than Cozens. Then, Drake Batherson dipsy-doodled (as the late great Rick Jeanneret would say) and fed it quickly to Tkachuk for the power play goal.
What should have been Buffalo’s first goal not long thereafter was called offsides. However, the home team continued to battle throughout the period and after a few chances in front of goaltender Anton Forsberg, finally got one through thanks to Jack Quinn. It was really Peterka who made it happen with a spin-o-rama on the ice feeding a solid pass over to his linemate. Rather than letting the Sens widen the scoring gap, the Sabres answered back just in time before the buzzer sounded for the first intermission.
Minus-1: Powerplays, What Are Those?
One thing the Senators certainly did better than the Sabres tonight was taking advantage of their power plays. In the moments leading up to Ottawa’s second lead and goal of the game, Buffalo seemed to completely lose control in front of the net as James Reimer was beat stick side. The Sens would end up on the power play again almost immediately following Bowen Byram’s hooking penalty. The Sabres would go 0-1 with the man-advantage tonight.
Plus-2: Tying It Up and Snagging the Lead
Because Cozens had an assist for Ottawa tonight, it would only make sense that the Sabres’ new teammate (also donning the number 24) would score his first goal with his new team and second of the season. Former Ottawa defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker let a wrist shot rip with plenty of traffic in front of the net to tie up the game once again.
Rather than continuing a game of ping pong, the Sabres ended up scoring next to take their first and final lead of the game. Tage Thompson earned his 35th of the season and game winner. In his last 10 games against Ottawa, TNT has tallied nine goals and two assists. He is also the first Sabre since before 2007 to score 28 or more goals at even strength in a single season.
Final Thoughts
If this were October, this would have been a great game to give fans hope. The Sabres played hard, never gave up after allowing the Senators to lead the scoreboard multiple times, and took home a regulation victory (the one glaring problem, of course, continues to be special teams). James Reimer should get as much recognition as the goal scorers tonight for some phenomenal saves to keep the home team in it for the full 60 minutes.
Shout out to head coach Lindy Ruff, too, as he earned his 600th win as a Sabres coach tonight!
Three Stars:
1. Jacob Bernard-Docker (1G, +2)
2. James Reimer (32 SA, 2 GA)
3. Jack Quinn (1G, 16:23 TOI)