The Sabres used a three-goal period to extend their season-long point streak to four games. Tonight they jumped on a team that was struggling and kept them down instead of letting them get back on track in their building. The Senators entered the game losers of 11 of their last 12.
Ottawa got the first good chance of the game early in the first period. Matt Hoffman had a wide open net but whiffed on the shot. A bad sign for the Sens to start the night.
Buffalo put the first five shots of the game on the Ottawa net in the opening five minutes. The Senators would counter with the next six shots on goal over the final 15 minutes of the first period. After 20 minutes the two sides headed to the room with no score.
Things picked up for the Sabres in the second. Benoit Pouliot got the scoring started with a good individual effort for his eighth of the season. Just over a minute later Kyle Okposo increased the lead to 2-0 with his fifth of the season after a great pass to the front by Ryan O’Reilly. The scoring wasn’t over. Evander Kane scored his 14th of the season on the power play to put his club up 3-0 after 40 minutes.
With a three-goal lead in the third, the Sabres started to sit back a little bit. Cody Ceci got the Senators on the board with his third of the season just over five minutes into the period.
Buffalo did a good job holding the visitors off until the final minute of the period when Derick Brassard made things interesting with 52 seconds remaining pulling Ottawa within one. The final 52 seconds went by without a hiccup and the Sabres held on for the victory.
Final Score: Sabres 3, Senators 2
Shots on Goal: Sabres 25 | Senators 26
Sabres Goal Scorers: Pouliot (8), Okposo (5) and Kane (14)
Senators Goal Scorers: Ceci (3) and Brassard (7)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Evander Kane (1 G, GWG)
2. Rasmus Ristolainen (2 A)
3. Benoit Pouliot (1 G)
Comment of the Game
Entertaining game.
Can’t ask for much more at this point.
Lehner is lights out vs Ottawa. Love it.
Posted by steelopus on Dec 12, 2017 | 9:29 PM reply rec (1) flag
What to Watch
1. The breakup
While the two didn’t play together. Eichel picked up an assist on Kane’s power-play goal.
2. Rodrigues getting some love.
Rodrigues played just over 14 minutes and had two shots on goal.
3. Robin Lehner is hot.
Lehner played well again and picked up the win. He continued his domination of his former team.