Score: Capitals 3 | Sabres 4 (SO)
Shots: WSH 34 | BUF 24
Buffalo Sabres Goals:
- Thompson (Zucker, Greenway)
- Tuch (Doan, Power)
- Rosen (Quinn, Timmins)
- Byram (SO Winner)
Washington Capitals Goals:
- Strome (Leonard)
- Protas (McMichael, Wilson)
- Milano (Roy, Fehervary)
Plus 1: So, this is what it feels like
The Sabres had found themselves on the wrong side of overtime games ending in 4-3 for the last three games. Even with Halloween over, the hockey gods saw fit to scare Sabres fans with yet another 3-3 game at the end of regulation. After surviving a Washington dominated overtime period, Buffalo entered their first shootout of the season. UPL kept the Caps scoreless and Byram ripped one by Lindgren in the 5th round. This team needed to prove they could win a game that went past regulation. The extra standing point is important, but the mental block of losing 4th straight game overtime game could have piled on to a team that has enough pressure on it to break the playoff drought.
Minus 1: Undisciplined 3rd
In close games, the last thing you want to do is provide opportunities for your opponent to gain an advantage. One of the easiest ways to do this is to take penalties. Buffalo nearly doomed their chances in the third with three 3rd period minor penalties including one by Alex Tuch with 3:12 left in the third. On the bright side, they showed why they are tied with the Flyers for the best penalty kill in the league. Their killers didn’t surrender many true scoring chances and kept the best scorer in NHL history from notching his 900th goal as his best attempt mercifully sailed high. Neutralizing an opponent’s power play can be a important aspect of a win, but you would prefer it wasn’t so vital in the 3rd period.
Plus 2: Rosen’s First
Isak Rosen has been playing great in Rochester to open the season. He has a team leading 5 goals and 12 points in 8 games. With Benson placed on IR, the door was opened for Rosen to try and translate his game to the NHL, and he didn’t disappoint. He was provided an opportunity with offensive talent by filling in on the top powerplay unit and skating on a line with Kulich and Quinn. He fit right in and helped generate numerous offensive chances. His best moment was when Quinn found him with some space in the slot and ripped home his first career NHL goal. The former 1st round pick has been waiting for a chance to prove himself and it looks like he’s ready to make the most of it.
Final Thoughts
This was an important win for Buffalo. They snapped their streak of overtime losses to finally secure the extra point. There was some worry that the team would look more like they did in their first 3 games with Benson injured, but they showed their depth can get the job done even without a top performer. UPL had a solid game and was lights out in the shootout. Even thought the overtime losses were frustrating, Buffalo finds themselves on a 6-game point streak. You would prefer to see them win in overtime, but loser points are vital standings points. The Islanders had a whopping 16 overtime/shootout losses to help them make the playoffs two years ago. Every point matters. For now, the Sabres have shown that they can secure the 2nd point in a game that isn’t finished after regulation.