Buffalo battles back from 2-0 deficit to clinch second road win.
Score: Sabres 5, Sharks 2
Shots: BUF: 36 SJ: 25
Buffalo Sabres Goals: JJ Peterka (17, 18), Jordan Greenway (6), Alex Tuch (14), Dylan Cozens (10, EN)
San Jose Sharks Goals: Marc Edouard-Vlasic (3), Jan Rutta (2)
Plus 1: Peterka Pushes Back
After the Sabres gave up an early 2-0 hole, JJ Peterka beat San Jose goalie Kaapo Kahkonen late in the first period on a backhander from a Dylan Cozens assist that quieted the boisterous crowd at SAP Center. Peterka knows how to change a game’s momentum and his 17th goal this season gave Sabres fans some hope.
No. 77 was on a little bit of a tear this California road trip, getting two goals against the L.A. Kings and now two (his second was in the third period) versus San Jose. The more the merrier.
Plus 2: Greenway Gets the Equalizer
Buffalo didn’t rest on its laurels after Peterka’s goal. The Sabres aggressively took the puck away from San Jose and Jordan Greenway made a wrister with two minutes to go in the first. Alex Tuch and Casey Mittelstadt set Greenway up and helped tie it at 2.
Unlike Peterka, Greenway didn’t score against the Kings but did get a goal against Ananheim. Greenway has had a low scoring season so far, so it’s great to see him get some pucks in the net. Fans would like to see more, but they’ll take what they can get.
Plus 3: Tuch Takes the Lead
Just 1:36 into the second period, Mittelstadt took the puck away from Nico Sturm and passed it to Tuch, who made a wrist shot on Kahkonen to put the Sabres ahead.
After getting blanketed early in the game by a swarm of green jerseys around Buffalo’s net, No. 89’s goal was a sign of the Blue and Gold taking charge of this contest. Too often, Sabres fans have watched opposing teams take advantage of scoring opportunities. It was wonderful to watch it happen on Buffalo’s side for a change.
Plus 4: Peterka Widens the Score
The Sabres entered the third period up 3-2 but fans have seen them blow third period leads one too many times in recent years. That didn’t happen tonight thanks to JJ Peterka. 4:33 into the final 20, Peterka buried a slap shot that gave the visitors a solid two-goal lead and some much-needed insurance.
Plus 5: Cozens Closes It Out
With 5:04 left in the third, Connor Clifton received two minutes for interference against William Eklund, and Eklund got two minutes for embellishment against Clifton. The Sharks took advantage of the 4-on-4 to pull their goalie and get the extra attacker.
Thankfully, Dylan Cozens took control of the puck and raced past San Jose center Logan Couture to get down the ice and shoot the puck in San Jose’s vacant net, killing any chance for a late Sharks’ comeback.
Michael Closser had the Comment of the Game: “Cozens put on a skating clinic around Couture to get the empty netter.” Cozens’ 10th goal of the season put this one out of reach and gave the Sabres a great send-off for their extended All-Star break.
Final Thoughts
The Buffalo Sabres started their West Coast road trip on the wrong foot, losing in embarrassing fashion to the Anaheim Ducks. However, they rallied, beating the L.A. Kings 5-3 and defeating the San Jose Sharks 5-2.
UPL was fantastic in net, settling down after letting in two goals in the first period and shutting out the Sharks for the rest of the night. Luukkonen faced 25 shots and blocked 23, a great effort and one the team and the fans hope he’ll continue to replicate.
Not everything was perfect about this win. Buffalo gave up two early stinkers and it looked like another lackluster loss was in the offing. Yet, the Blue and Gold battled back, took control of the matchup and didn’t let off the pressure for most of the final 40 minutes.
Thanks to the All-Star Game on Feb. 3, the NHL is on a break and the Sabres don’t play again until Feb. 6, when the Dallas Stars come to town. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. at KeyBank Center.
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