We almost had some fireworks on the first shift to start this game. Victor Olofsson was setup on a rush by Sam Reinhart in the high slot, but shot was deflected off the defender’s stick. Howard made the Save and then a nice rebound save on Reinhart.
The Sabres controlled the first half of the period outshooting the Red Wings 11-1. Then the Sabres began their parade to the penalty box. The shots flipped 16-4 the other way for the Red Wings in the second half of the period.
Detroit would get on the board first on one of their power plays. Tyler Bertuzzi deflected a Anthony Mantha pass by Linus Ullmark.
The visitors would head to the room with their lead after 20 minutes.
Exactly a minute into the second period the Red Wings increased their lead to two. Reinhart had a bad turnover at the offensive blue line. They came on an odd man rush the other way and Filip Hronek eventually put it by Ullmark.
The Sabres got back in the game after that. Casey Mittelstadt made a nice look to Kyle Okposo on the power play to get their first goal of the game.
Okposo PP Goal
2-1 Detroit pic.twitter.com/GxEKLTDePp— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) March 29, 2019
Late in the second period, Marco Scandella found the back of the net to even the score off a good feed from Zemgus Girgensons.
After 40 minutes the two clubs were all even and the Sabres had the better play at 5 on 5.
Once again the Red Wings took the lead back six minutes into the third period. Dylan Larkin took a lap in the Sabres end and eventually snapped a shot by Ullmark with a guy standing in front.
Larkin would give Detroit their two goal lead back less than seven minutes later. Dahlin lost the puck in the corner and Ullmark fumbled it in his crease. Eventually it made its way to Larkin and he deposited it into an open net.
It looked bleak for the Sabres, but they fought back in a matter of 41 seconds. First, Mittelstadt wristed a shot by Jimmy Howard to give his club some life.
Mittelstadt goal
4-3 Detroit pic.twitter.com/41Ji4SWppY— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) March 29, 2019
Then Olofsson picked up his first career point when he made a nice pass to a wide open Eichel in front. The Sabres captain scored his 100th career goal and tied the game at four.
Eichel goal replay. Great plays from Olofsson and Reinhart to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/Zw2LAYlQ2P
— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) March 29, 2019
Off to overtime we went and the Sabres had their chances. Including a nice spin move from Jeff Skinner that was stopped by Howard. Olofsson had a chance on a rush, but he fired it high and wide.
The Red Wings came down the other way on an odd-man rush and Tyler Bertuzzi scored the game-winner to hand the Sabres another loss.
Final: Red Wings 5, Sabres 4 (OT)
Shots on Goal: Red Wings 34 | Sabres 39
Sabres Goal Scorers: Kyle Okposo (12) (PPG), Marco Scandella (6), Casey Mittelstadt (12), and Jack Eichel (27)
Red Wings Goal Scorers: Tyler Bertuzzi (17, 18) (PPG), Filip Hronek (4), and Dylan Larkin (29, 30)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Dylan Larkin (2 G)
2. Tyler Bertuzzi (2 G, 1 A, GWG)
3. Victor Olofsson (1 A)