After a rough night in Minnesota yesterday, tonight’s matchup against the Winnipeg Jets didn’t look promising for the Buffalo Sabres. To their credit they hung in most of the night, but it wasn’t good enough.
Almost half way through the first period the Jets scored the first goal of the game. Dustin Byfuglien scored his first goal of the season on the power play breaking a long scoring drought.
Just over two minutes we had another first, but this time in the Sabres favor. Marco Scandella scored his first goal of the season and as a Sabre. The big defender unleashed a rocket of shot that beat Jet’s goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
With over five minutes remaining in the period Jacob Trouba put the Jets back in front with his third of the season. After 20 minutes the home team held a 2-1 lead over the Sabres.
Blake Wheeler scored Winnipeg’s second power play goal of the game after a ticky tack call on Zemgus Girgensons. The 3-1 lead stood for most of the period until Johan Larsson broke a scoring drought of his own picking up a loose puck to make it 3-2 after 40 minutes.
The Sabres had to feel good about themselves heading into the final period, but the wind was taken out of their sails pretty early. Just 25 seconds into the third Bryan Little was the benefactor of a deflected shot that bounced off of Chad Johnson’s pads and onto Little’s stick.
Again the visitors would get back within one. The theme of the night continued with Scott Wilson scoring his first goal of the season and as a Sabre to make it 4-3.
The Sabres had some opportunities in the final seven minutes. Including long sustained pressure in the final minute, but were unable to find the equalizer. They’ll look to get back into the win column Sunday afternoon against the Flyers.
Final Score: Jets 4, Sabres 3
Shots on Goal: Jets 29 | Sabres 29
Jets Goal Scorers: Byfuglien (1), Trouba (3), Wheeler (14) and Little (8)
Sabres Goal Scorers: Larsson (2) and Wilson (1)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Blake Wheeler (1 G, 1 A)
2. Jacob Trouba (1 G, 1 A)
3. Ryan O’Reilly (4 SOG)
Comment of the Game
There will be at least one Sabre fan at the game tonight
I’ll do my best to drown out the Jets fans. I hope the score is not proportionate to the fan support!
Let’s Go Buffalo – make up for last night.
by swontfan on Jan 5, 2018 | 7:17 PM reply rec (5) flag actions