Dallas rolled into Buffalo looking to get themselves back in the win column, while extending their three-game point streak. A game against the Sabres was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Stars.
Things started off poorly for the Sabres, a trend that is unfortunately manifesting itself in more games than not lately.
Dallas took advantage of a mad scramble in front of Robin Lehner that resulted in Remi Elie’s fifth goal of the season. No one on the ice for the Sabres appeared to know where the puck was or who each player was supposed to be covering. This breakdown put Buffalo in a 1-0 hole, just 5:03 into the game.
Late in the first, the Stars found themselves increasing pressure in Buffalo’s zone during a power play opportunity. A shot on goal bounced off Lehner’s pads and right onto the stick of Mattias Janmark. The rest, as they say, is history. Janmark’s 11th of the season, at 14:09 of the first pushed Dallas’ lead to 2-0.
Dallas continued to lay it on early in the third period with another Janmark goal. As he skated down the wing with little resistance, Janmark threw a shot on net that ripped its way past Lehner. Janmark’s second of the game and 12th of the season pushed Dallas’ lead to 3-0.
Buffalo was able to get one back on the power play almost midway through the second. Jack Eichel took a shot from the left faceoff dot, which emanated a ping throughout the KeyBank Center. Sam Reinhart was stationed in front of Kari Lehtonen, as a screen. When Eichel’s shot pinged, Reinhart was able to put the rebound in the net. Reinhart’s 8th of the season, at 8:54 of the second period, brought Buffalo within two goals.
But stop me if you’ve heard this one before – Buffalo scores and then almost immediately allows a goal.
That is right, faithful readers – just 38 seconds after Reinhart’s goal, Jamie Benn grabbed his 19th of the season. Dallas’ lead was back at three goals.
A goaltender change for Buffalo – the equivalent of Phil Housley waiving the white flag – could not turn around the Sabres’ fortunes.
With Chad Johnson now in net, Dallas didn’t wait around to warmly welcome him to the game. A point shot with eyes from Esa Lindell found its way past Johnson. Lindell’s fifth goal of the season, at 12:08 of the second, pushed the Stars’ lead to 5-1.
Not to be outdone by themselves, Dallas would add another goal late in the second. Radek Faksa’s 12th of the season, at 17:31 of the second period, pushed the Sabres’ deficit to 6-1.
Despite the game being all-but-over heading into the third period, Dallas did not take their foot off the gas pedal.
Tyler Pitlick netted his 8th goal of the year, at 7:24 of the third, to put Dallas up 7-1.
Pitlick’s goal would put a giant bow on the Stars’ scoring for the afternoon. Thankfully, the game had to come to an end at some point and Buffalo only saw themselves lose by six goals.
Final Score: Stars 7, Sabres 1
Shots on Goal: Stars 32 | Sabres 27
Rangers Goal Scorers: Elie (5), Janmark (11, 12), Benn (19), Lindell (5), Faksa (12)
Sabres Goal Scorers: Reinhart (8)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Mattias Janmark (2 G, 1 A)
2. Esa Lindell (1 G, 2 A)
3. John Klingberg (0 G, 3 A)
Comment of the Game
this was different
he flopped around more than usual