Didn’t the Buffalo Sabres just trade away most of their team, including the heart-and-soul franchise goalie? Aren’t we supposed to be losing horribly by now?
Not if Jhonas Enroth has anything to say about it.
Enroth made 43 saves and only gave up a single late goal to earn the Ryan Miller shutout as the Sabres defeated the Lightning 3-1. The Sabres got off to a good start as the resurgent Tyler Myers score his ninth goal of the season halfway through the first period, a beautiful snap shot that beat Lightning goalie Anders Lindback over the shoulder, and they would never look back.
If you take a look at the possession numbers (not for the faint of heart) you’ll see the Lightning exactly doubling Buffalo’s output of shots directed at the net. However, Enroth played a magnificent game in the Buffalo crease, and with a little help from our fourth best player, POST, he shut down the Lightning’s offense that was bolstered by the return of Steven Stamkos and the newly acquired Ryan Callahan.
Marcus Foligno and Cody Hodgson also scored for Buffalo, but not all was roses in this game – Zemgus Girgensons and Chris Stewart both left with lower body injuries, and their status for tonight’s game is doubtful. We’ll know more later today.
Three Questions, One Comment
1. How will the Sabres respond to the complete dismantling of their team?
Nolan said earlier today he wants Myers, Foligno, Hodgson to step up as leaders of “next generation” of #Sabres. Each had 1G, 1A tonight.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 7, 2014
2. Who will score for Buffalo?
See above, apparently.
3. Will Jhonas Enroth put on his best Miller impression for the third game in a row?
Yes. Enroth’s play over the past week has been stellar, but we’ve seen him put on both epic hot and epic cold streaks. How long will this one last?
4. Callahan. Stamkos.
They didn’t do much, but it was still fun to see.
Three Stars
1. Jhonas Enroth – 43 saves. Enroth has been the first star in his last three games.
2. Cody Hodgson – 1g, 1a, 6 shots
3. Tyler Myers – 1g, 1a
Comment of the Game
I like this Tyler Myers. This is the Tyler Myers we were promised.
Better late than never, amirite?