The Buffalo Sabres were in a place to pick up two points in a game they really didn’t deserve it. The Ottawa Senators controlled possession for the most part and were being kept off the board by Robin Lehner.
They were 30 seconds away from a victory and things started to unravel quickly.
Buffalo got on the board first in the opening period. Johan Larsson put some good pressure on the Ottawa defense that resulted in a turnover. He dropped the puck to Scott Wilson in slot and he fired his fifth of the season past Craig Anderson/
The Sabres skated out of the opening 20 minutes with a 1-0, but it felt like the Senators were the better team. They outshot the Sabres 13-8 and hemmed the Sabres in their end for a lot of the period.
In the second period, it was more of the same. Ottawa dominated the middle frame outshooting Buffalo 9-4. The parade to the penalty box by the Sabres didn’t help matters and that was a theme throughout the night. Luckily, they were able to escape holding onto their 1-0 lead thanks to Lehner.
The Senators finally got on the board in the third period. Newly acquired Marian Gaborik tied things up at one a little five minutes into the period.
We looked to be on our way to overtime, but with just over four minutes to go Evan Rodrigues snapped a nice shot over the glove of Anderson to put his club back in front.
The Sabres looked to be on their way to stealing two points but fell apart in the final minute. Derick Brassard was left open at the back door and put the puck by Lehner with 30 seconds remaining.
We headed to overtime and it didn’t take long for the Senators to complete the comeback.
Evander Kane made a horrible line change and gave the Sens a free 3 on 2 break up the ice. Erik Karlsson found a wide open Mike Hoffman who ripped a one time past Lehner for the game-winner just 1:13 into the extra period.
Final: Senators 3, Sabres 2 (OT)
Shots on Goal: Senators 36 | Sabres 25
Sabres Goal Scorers: Wilson (5) and Rodrigues (4)
Senators Goal Scorers: Gaborik (8), Brassard (16) and Hoffman (16)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Mike Hoffman (1 G, GWG)
2. Matt Duchene (3 A)
3. Robin Lehner (33 saves on 36 shots)
Comment of the Game
Kane takes his sweet time getting off the ice. Fun
by Sdavis5419 on Feb 15, 2018 | 10:14 PM reply rec flag actions