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Recap: Sabres give fans a 3-2 Valentine’s Day comeback

Chocolates, flowers, a fancy dinner, or a comeback Sabres victory?

If you’re like me, there’s only one answer for the best Valentine’s Day gift one could get, and the Buffalo Sabres delivered just that tonight, coming back in the third period thanks to Justin Bailey’s first career game-winning goal to beat the Ottawa Senators by a score of 3-2.

According to the Sabres broadcast, it was Ottawa’s first loss in franchise history on Valentine’s Day.

The Sabres got off to a quick start, scoring just 24 seconds in to the game thanks to Ryan O’Reilly, who tipped an Okposo shot past Craig Anderson to give the Sabres an early lead. It was a nice release of steam after a few days of contentious-but-constructive locker room talk, and a welcome relief to Sabres fans looking for some jump out of their team.

Ottawa would score the next two goals, one in the first from Bobby Ryan and one in the second from Dion Phaneuf, and the Sabres would suffer their typical second period woes, getting outshot 16-7 and exiting the period down 2-1.

However, as they’ve done with increasing regularity, the Sabres would mount a courageous third period comeback, getting goals from Matt Moulson and Justin Bailey en route to a 3-2 win.

With the win, the Sabres have tied Pittsburgh and Montreal for the most come-from-behind wins when trailing after two in the NHL, with seven on the season.

Three Questions

1. Will Buffalo “stick to the system” more tonight, and will it make a difference?

There was some good and some bad tonight – the obvious good was the quick goal and the comeback win, and the obvious bad was the business-as-usual awful second period. It was nice to see the Sabres come out in another big divisional game and give a generally strong effort.

2. Can Robin Lehner continue to dominate the Senators?

Lehner won again against his old team, bringing his record to 4-2-0 against his old team. Lehner was very strong in the second and third, allowing the Sabres to stay in, and eventually win, the game.

3. Which player featured on the Sabres Valentines Day cards will have the biggest impact on tonight’s game?

Ryan O’Reilly scored the opening goal and was dangerous in the offensive zone all night. He came within a few inches of an empty net goal, but overall played a very strong game game tonight.

Comment of the Game

Roses are red

Violets are blue

The tank didn’t work

You’re all busts

Posted by lgbfromoregon

It was the first comment, but tonight it was the best.