Final Score: Sabres 3 | Oilers 2
Shots on Goal: Sabres 26 | Oilers 27
Sabres Goal Scorers: Curtis Lazar, Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel (penalty shot)
Oilers Goal Scorers: Riley Sheahan, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Minus-1: A Rough Start
The Sabres didn’t show up ready to play on Thursday night. Within the first seven minutes of game action, they found themselves in an early 2-0 hole to the Oilers. Riley Sheahan scored just 5:06 in to give Edmonton the lead. Less than two minutes later, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins doubled their lead, putting the Sabres down by a pair.
Though this time the Sabres were able to climb back, the team needs to work on better starts to games.
Plus-1: A Rallying Cry
Mercifully, the Sabres were able to come back. Curtis Lazar scored just 1:39 after Nugent-Hopkins to get Buffalo on the board. Sam Reinhart then tied the game early in the third period, and the Sabres were able to force the game to overtime, ensuring each team earned at least a point and snapping Buffalo’s skid.
Reinhart Goal
2-2 pic.twitter.com/MmaLEUFZUy— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) January 3, 2020
Plus-1: Jack. Eichel.
What else can you say about Jack Eichel? At times, it seems like he’s the only Sabres player who knows how to score – and he can score, regardless of what situation he’s in.
On Thursday night, Eichel found himself with the game, quite literally, on his stick. He was awarded a penalty shot just 1:09 into the overtime, and wasted no energy capitalizing on the opportunity. Just look at this goal:
Eichel wins it on a penalty shot in OT
3-2 Buffalo pic.twitter.com/WCVJBpl6mt— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) January 3, 2020
Final Thoughts
This was a much-needed win for the Sabres. After a not-great first period and some absolutely uninspired power plays, Buffalo found a way to get back into the game. The victory snapped the Sabres’ four-game losing streak; it’s the team’s first win since December 21, and just their second win in the last nine games.