Goals
1st period
Ennis, from Ott and Stafford
Ward, from Chimera and Ribeiro
2nd Period
Erskine, from Ward and Chimera
3rd Period
Ovechkin, from Green and Ribeiro
Folgino, from Kaleta and Sekera
Three Up
Ryan Miller – Miller was once again the best player on the ice for Buffalo, especially on a second period penalty kill that saw him make three big saves in about ten seconds, any of which would have slipped by a lesser netminder. He had absolutely no chance on the Erskine or Ovechkin goals, and made 27 saves.
Marcus Foligno – Foligno was a beast along the boards all night, showing strength and poise in the offensive zone. He was rewarded with a goal late in the game, and almost had another in the closing seconds.
Mikhail Grigorenko – The Sabres top prospect looked much better tonight with more minutes and more responsibility. He was making plays in the offensive zone, and didn’t look out of place in his own. Keep this kid in Buffalo, please, because thsi team needs as much offense as they can get.
Three Down
Cody Hodgson – Hodgson’s offensive creativity has been fun to watch along with Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek. His defensive play has been atrocious to watch, and tonight was no exception. Hodgson finished -2 with just one shot, and had a goal against deflect in off the shaft of his stick in the second period. If he’s going to be an eventual #1 center, he’s got to learn how to be more responsible in his own zone.
Lindy Ruff – With Thomas Vanek out, Ruff’s decision to put Nathan Gerbe on the top line with Cody Hodgson and Jason Pominville backfired miserably. What had he been the hottest line in the NHL was completely ineffective, with all three players finishing at either -1 or -2.
Nathan Gerbe – Speaking of which, this guy did absolutely nothing tonight on the top line. I’m not exactly sure why he’s even on the team at this point, after scoring just 6 goals in his last 64 games. He’s not big, he’s not fast, and he doesn’t score. I know he hustles, but at some point, you have to do something besides just trying hard.