Buffalo Wins 5-2, Out of the Basement
Score: Buffalo Sabres 5-2 Ottawa Senators
Shots: BUF 22-35 OTT
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Tuch (32) Dahlin (14) Thompson (39) Krebs (9) McLeod (19)
Ottawa Senators Goals: Giroux (15) Sanderson (9)
Plus 1: Saves and Scores
Some good chances in this one early. Buffalo starter James Reimer made a tough save from about 15 feet out. Later, Ryan McLeod dished a nice pass to JJ Peterka who fired one off the crossbar/post. Jacob Bernard-Docker then took an early high sticking penalty against his former team. Buffalo looked pretty good killing it off, not giving up a shot. Then at the 8:38 mark, Alex Tuch continued his hot streak with another goal. Mattias Samuelsson’s point shot was stopped by Linus Ullmark but then dribbled slowly at the side of the crease. Ullmark had no idea where it was and Tuch said thank you very much as he tapped home number 32. Later in the period, Jack Quinn was battling hard behind the net and came up with the loose puck. (Yes I did just type that) He passed it back to the point and Rasmus Dahlin blasted it home for his 14th goal of the season. Samuelsson got his 2nd assist of the period on the play. It was suddenly 2-0 for the Blue and Gold. Buffalo was gambling by taking penalties though, they got called 3 times in the opening frame. The last one on Beck Malenstyn for delay of game, puck over the glass. But the Sabres penalty kill was the story of the first period, playing very calm and composed. Plus the two big goals on just 5 shots. Reimer was equally as good, stopping all 12 Ottawa shots. Many of the acrobatic variety.
Even 1: One For You and One For Me
Ottawa came out flying in the 2nd period with some hard skating and nice perimeter passing. The Senators had the only 2 shots on goal in the first 5 minutes. Buffalo then got an odd man rush and McLeod got the puck to Peterka in all alone but Ullmark made a great stop. These 2 players have looked very good together. After some back and forth, both teams got tagged with calls. Claude Giroux for interference and Peyton Krebs for embellishment. With extra room out on the ice, Buffalo took advantage. Tage Thompson took a back pass over the line and shimmied and dangled his way into the slot. He then passed it to Peterka at the side of the net. (a mistake I thought) But JJ passed it right back and TNT buried it for a 3-0 Sabres lead. Dahlin got an assist as well. Unfortunately, The Sens got that one right back when Giroux scored just over a minute later. It was a pretty even period with a goal for each team. Shots were 9-8 favoring Ottawa.
Plus 2: Stop. Reimer Time
Buffalo played the opening minutes of the 3rd period smart and conservative. They didn’t sit back and only pressed the attack when it was there. Surprisingly it was. The Sabres got the first 4 shots of the period and were racing for another good chance when one of the referees got in the way along the wall. JJ Peterka lost the puck and it killed a Sabres’ opportunity. Play then went the other way and the Sens got a good chance but Reimer was there again.
Midway through the period, Peyton Krebs intercepted a pass and went in alone on Ullmark. He buried it with a wicked snap shot that beat the former Buffalo goaltender clean. It was now 4-1 Buffalo and seemingly this game was in control. But just like that, the Sens answered right back. Jake Sanderson’s shot eluded Reimer through a crowd and once again the lead was down to two. Ottawa was buzzing down the stretch and Reimer was unbelievable. He made key stops a half dozens times, highlighted by his save on Tim Stützle in close. Late in the game, Bo Byram took a penalty and Ottawa pulled the goalie as well. With a two man advantage, Buffalo was scrambling but held on. They then iced it as Ryan McLeod’s long clear down the ice found the empty net. An improbable season sweep of the Ottawa Senators by the Buffalo Sabres.
Final Thoughts:
James Reimer stood on his head for Buffalo tonight and the Sabres gave him some supporting goals once again. With Boston’s loss to the Caps, the Sabres have officially climbed out of last place in the East. Shockingly, the Bruins are now below Buffalo in the standings. Great for team morale, maybe not so much for draft positioning.
Buffalo was blocking shots left and right in this game, helping Reimer out immensely. The Sabres got 27 blocks in total as Ottawa was attempting shots from everywhere.
Out of the basement in the East. It is hard to believe. Let the celebrating and/or bitching commence.