Colten Shutout Backstops the Sabres to Victory
Score: Buffalo Sabres 5-0 Columbus Blue Jackets
Shots: BUF 24-35 COL
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Krebs 12th (Norris) Doan 24th (unassisted) Quinn 20th (Stanley, Zucker) Doan 25th (Benson, Norris) Dahlin 19th EN (Stanley, Kozak)
Columbus Blue Jackets Goals: Zilch (Nada, Nothing)
Plus 1: Peyton Place
Buffalo showed some jump early, getting good pressure in the Blue Jacket’s zone. The Blue and Gold (wearing Black and Red) recorded 5 of the game’s first 7 shots, until a Buffalo power play interrupted their momentum. (cue the you just lost on the Price is Right music) Columbus fought back, taking the lead in shots as Colten Ellis made some solid saves for the Sabres.
The game went back and forth for a bit until Josh Norris and Peyton Krebs broke into the Columbus zone, nearly on a 2 on 1. Norris went to the net and instead of a risky passing play, Krebs took the shot and handcuffed goaltender Jet Greaves, beating him on the blocker side. It was a big goal for Peyton, an unheralded leader on this team. I just love his enthusiasm when he scores, pure joy on his face. Buffalo was able to grab the all important first goal of the game. The Sabres found their mojo on a good penalty kill soon after, then nearly extended their lead with a Tage Thompson shot off the iron. At the end of the first period, it was 1-0 Buffalo with the shots tied at 10 each.
Minus 1: More Second Period Sleepwalking
The Blue Jackets came out hard in the 2nd, getting sustained pressure early and the first three shots. Buffalo found some better defense and tightened up, but wasn’t getting much going in the offensive zone. In fact, the Sabres had just one shot on goal in the period with 12 minutes gone and Columbus suddenly buzzing. They started off with a shot off the bar, then two consecutive mad scrambles in front of the Buffalo net where Colten Ellis was both good and lucky. Bodies were piled up and sticks were everywhere. Somehow the puck stayed out both times as the home team miraculously held on to the lead.
The Sabres then got a power play that was completely ineffective. I mean, it was absolute hot garbage. Columbus outshot them 2-0 while down a man. All a fan can do is shake their head at what we are seeing with the man advantage. I’ve said it before and will say it again, it’s just dreadful. They couldn’t set up nor could they even hold onto the puck. The Jackets then got another turn on the power play and somehow the Sabres held on, with good sustained pressure by Columbus. Colten Ellis came up big again, looking a little unorthodox sometimes but keeping the puck out of the net. Alex Tuch was then robbed by Jet Greaves who amazingly didn’t fall asleep in his goal. Buffalo must have gone nearly 15 minutes between shots. Another poor 2nd period for Buffalo, same as the previous night against the Rangers. It didn’t hurt them on the scoreboard this time though. Columbus outshot the Sabres by a wide margin, 14 to 4 and really contolled play throughout.
Plus 2: Shut Them Down, Shut Them Out!
Buffalo had to kill a questionable delay of game penalty on Jordan Greenway early. The Jackets badgered the referees until they decided in a team meeting, “Sure, why not?” Thankfully, the Sabres penalty kill was on tonight and took care of business. Soon after, Jack Quinn made some slick moves at the blue line with Buffalo in deep. He danced around a defender and got a good shot away that was stopped by Greaves.
Columbus then willfully tipped the puck over the glass as Buffalo protested right back but absolutely no call from the refs. Thankfully, they didn’t do their jobs with the Sabres power play woes. AND because immedially after, Josh Doan stole the puck near center ice and went in one on one on the Jackets’ defender. His wicked shot beat Greaves clean to give Buffalo the much needed cushion at 2-0. The crowd erupted like a thundering stampede as Josh collected his 24th of the year, unassisted. A second and third stampede erupted with a little over six minutes left as Jack Quinn cashed in on his 20th of the year and Josh Doan got his second of the game seconds later. All the hard work Columbus put in during the game never paid off as they imploded at the end. Rasmus Dahlin added insult to injury with a long distance empty netter. Buffalo wins it 5-0 in a game where they were clearly not their best again. But they buckled down defensively in the 3rd and exploded for four big goals.
Major League props to Colten Ellis, having not started a game in two months and coming up with the SHUTOUT. He saved Buffalo’s bacon time and time again in this one, with a little luck along the way. Colten stopped 35 shots for the first shutout of his career. An amazing performance coming in for the injured Alex Lyon.
The Sabres maintained their lead in the Atlantic Division. Montreal and Tampa battled it out and Juraj Slafkovský scored for the Habs with a little over one minute left to win it 2-1 for the Canadiens IN REGULATION. So the Lightning fall four big points back of Buffalo and Montreal stays two behind with the Sabres holding the tiebreaker.
Final Thoughts:
It’s nice to know the Sabres have that 3rd option in net with the playoffs just around the corner. If Alex Lyon isn’t ready by game one, Colten Ellis won’t be a huge dropoff in goal. As it stands, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the obvious starter anyways. But Buffalo has a good safety net if disaster strikes.
Josh Doan had a big game, getting two ginormous goals to get back on track. Josh Norris contributed with two big assists as his offense is starting to come around. Even Logan Stanley joined in with two helpers of his own. Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch were quiet tonight but the depth Buffalo has stepped up when they needed them. Jack Quinn getting his 20th was great to see, he is getting better and better for the Sabres. Unsung hero Peyton Krebs gets the game winner from way back in the first period.
The Sabres are now off for three days and don’t play again until Mon, April 13th against the Chicago Blackhawks. Gametime is 8:30 pm eastern time. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the weekend matchups, as Montreal (hosting Columbus) and Tampa Bay (visiting Boston) will play on Saturday. The Habs play again on Sunday against the Islanders.