Buffalo claws back in third period to nab win over St Louis who fall to fourth loss in a row
Score: Buffalo Sabres 4-3 St Louis Blues (OT)
Shots: BUF 33-27 STL
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Benson (3), McLeod (5), Tuch (5), Dahlin (4, PPG)
St Louis Blues Goals: Saad (3), Buchnevich (5), Saad (4)
Plus 1: Strong Reply
The Sabres had been doing better starting games in recent weeks, but could only watch as first they failed to clear the zone and allowed the visitors to establish themselves before Brandon Saad cruised down the middle and slammed home the opener just three minutes in. The puck had actually made its way to Owen Power’s stick but he failed to corral it and turned it over in the slot to the Blues’ forward.
After Lindy Ruff’s comments about Buffalo passing up too many shots in the last two games, the players came with their shooting sticks tonight doubling up the Blues’ eight shots to turn the deficit into a 2-1 lead, thanks to goals from Zach Benson (just as the power play expired) and then Ryan McLeod.
Minus 1: Second Period Flop
Having gone into the first intermission in the lead, you would have thought that Buffalo would have looked to press that advantage in the second stanza. That lackadaisical approach started off with the Sabres’ second power play of the night where the top line just couldn’t get their skating or communication together.
Then Jordan Kyrou tangled up Jacob Bryson for long enough to let Pavel Buchnevich pick up the drop pass and rifle it past Devon Levi. Bit of a rookie move there from the Sabres’ dman to get tied up like that, but a tired Rasmus Dahlin waiting to get off the ice was also slow to close the angle down there.
Devon Levi was quick to come out and make the save as Kasperi Kapanen’s cross-ice pass was met by the wide-open Oskar Sundqvist to keep matters level. However, the young goaltender was powerless to stop fate when a lucky bounce off a Blues’ skate saw the puck carrom off Dahlin right in front of the net, with Saad quickest to react and slot the rebound home.
Plus 2: Fighting Back Again
The Sabres were booed off the ice at the end of the second period, and it certainly stung because they came out in the third looking for the leveler, but you have to sympathize with Dylan Cozens. The second line center has had a miserable start to the season that only just looks like it’s picking up after Zach Benson’s return from injury.
His shooting hasn’t been great and you know he’s been clutching that stick extra-tight recently, and when first his one-timer and then a backhand shot were saved by Jordan Binnington in the first period it would have been easy to believe that this was not going to be his day, again.
Cozens however was rewarded for his tenacity as a loose puck bounced around between the circles and he tucked it home. However, the visitors challenged for goaltender interference – marginal at best especially since Benson had as much right to be where he was in the blue ice – and were able to get the call overturned. Foiled again Dylan.
However, the Sabres would not be denied on home ice, with McLeod dropping a beauty of a pass from behind the goal right on Tuch’s stick to tuck home with just over seven minutes left to play.
A foolish penalty from Sundqvist in the dying moments of the third period meant the Sabres would start overtime with the man advantage, and Dahlin made the Blues pay for it. JJ Peterka was busy with the puck given the added space of 4-on-3 hockey, and found Dahlin at the right point to slam home a onetimer to win the game.
Plus 3: Power Play Resurgence Continues
The Sabres had three power plays tonight, scoring on the last one though in all fairness Benson’s opening goal came about a second after the first power play had ended and deserved the credit of being called a power play goal. That makes it now five straight games the Sabres have scored on the man advantage, and nine power play goals in the last ten games.
Buffalo are now up to 17.3% when up a man, putting them at 23% in the league. At this pace they’ll be in the top ten by Christmas.
Kudos to the penalty kill while we’re here though, shutting down the Blues’ only attempt. The two goals given up against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday were the only shorthanded goals they’ve allowed in the last five games.
Final Thoughts
After that fiasco against the Habs, this win was much needed. Buffalo are back at .500 hockey again and in a messy Atlantic Division, it’s good enough to keep them in the middle of the pack. Minus Tage Thompson and starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen a drop-off was only to be expected, and hopefully they’re back for the short flight to Philly to take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday evening.
My Comment of the Game goes to mattymattd for his comment calling the right score!
Can’t watch tonight but feeling a close Sabres win — 4-3.