Score: Buffalo Sabres 5 | Philadelphia Flyers 4
Shots: BUF 25 | PHI 31
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Alex Tuch (36), Peyton Krebs (10), Jack Quinn (15), JJ Peterka (27), Ryan McLeod (20)
Philadelphia Flyers Goals: Matvei Michkov (25, 26), Tyson Foerster (25), Bobby Brink (12)
Plus 1: Starting Early
It didn’t take long for the Sabres to get on the board, with Alex Tuch scoring his 36th of the season less than five minutes in. Tuch was one of the team’s best players this season, and would also assist on Peyton Krebs’ 10th of the season later in the opening frame. Krebs’ goal came shorthanded, a nice touch for the Sabres – who scored 10 shorthanded goals over the course of the season.
The Flyers were able to cut the lead less than two minutes later on the power play, but the Sabres responded well. With his 15th goal, Jack Quinn set a new career-high for himself in that category.
Just 1:24 into the second period, JJ Peterka scored his 27th of the season – just one shy of his total from last season. The Sabres were up 4-1 and honestly, the game seemed to be in their hands.
Minus 1: Too Close for Comfort
The Sabres settled into the game, and the Flyers came uncomfortably close to tying it. Michkov’s second of the night was followed by Tyson Foerster’s goal just 15 seconds into the third period. All of a sudden, what was a three-goal lead became a one-goal lead with nearly an entire period to play.
Thankfully for Buffalo, the Sabres were able to stymie Philly’s offense. Ryan McLeod hit the 20-goal mark with an empty-netter with just 48 seconds left in regulation, but even that wasn’t entirely safe. With just 19 seconds left, the Flyers were once again within one after Bobby Brink’s goal. There wasn’t quite enough time left at that point for Philly to finish the comeback, and the Sabres came out with a narrow win.
Plus 1: A Spread of Offense
It was a nice spread of the offense on Thursday night. McLeod had a goal and two assists, while Tuch, Quinn and Peterka each had a goal and assist. Krebs had the other goal. Connor Clifton, Jason Zucker and Jacob Bernard-Docker each recorded an assist.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations to Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff on registering his 900th career NHL win. Other highlights of the season include JJ Peterka setting a new career-high in points (68 – his previous high was 50), Tage Thompson recording 72 points, and Jason Zucker having his best season since 2017-18. Ryan McLeod also set new career highs across the board in goals, assists and points and ended up being a really nice addition to the team.
The worst part about Thursday’s game? That’s it. The season is over. What could’ve been an exciting postseason instead will see Sabres fans left to once again watch other teams fight in the playoffs. Fingers crossed that next year, things are different.