Final Score: Sabres 7 | Devils 1
Shots on Goal: Devils 45 | Sabres 32
Sabres Goal Scorers: Jack Eichel (17), Jeff Skinner (11), Conor Sheary (4, 5), Rasmus Asplund (1), Victor Olofsson (11), Henri Jokiharju (3)
Devils Goal Scorers: Nico Hischier (4)
Plus 1: Goals, Goals, Goals
The seven goals scored by Buffalo on Monday night were a season-high. Even though it came against one of the worst teams in the National Hockey League, goal-scoring confidence can be picked up from anywhere.
Jack Eichel’s 17th goal of the season keeps him on-pace for 50 goals this season. Eichel remains on-pace to score 111 points this season.
Jeff Skinner scored his 11th goal of the season last night, keeping him on-pace for 32 goals this season.
While Johan Larsson did not score a goal last night, he did tally three assists. For Larsson, this is the second time in his career that he recorded a three-point night.
Conor Sheary, who scored two goals last night, credited Larsson’s defensive play for allowing the offensive outburst from their line.
“I think when you know you have a responsible center on the ice, maybe it’s easier to take a little bit of a chance up ice and try to push their D back but I think just all together we’ve just been connected all over the ice. One guy’s in on the forecheck, the other guy’s right there, and I think we’re just reading off each other pretty well.”
Plus 2: Feels Like The First Time
For the first time in his young NHL career, Rasmus Asplund finds his name on the scoresheet as a goal scorer.
We have come to learn through his time in the AHL that Asplund possesses a good shot. Last night’s goal serves as a confirmation of that.
Asplund’s play has been good since being recalled from Rochester but the only thing missing had been goals.
Now, we can look to see if the goal output increases.
Plus 3: Collecting Points
Buffalo’s struggles in the month of November have been heavily noted. Despite those struggles, the Sabres were able to start patching things together toward the end of the month.
With Monday’s convincing victory, Buffalo now has gained at least a point in four straight games.
This has pushed Buffalo back into the final Atlantic Division playoff spot. Not a bad way to start off the final month of 2019.
Final Thoughts
Buffalo did the thing on Monday night – beat up on a bad team. That is something that good hockey teams do.
Despite their November struggles, they started December off on the right foot. Just like we have preached with the Buffalo Bills, it is game-by-game. Buffalo will have their struggles from time-to-time but you take games like Monday’s against New Jersey and look to build off the positives.
It most certainly looks like Ralph Krueger hit the nail on the head with the Skinner – Larsson – Sheary line, which has begun to introduce some much needed secondary scoring.
Time will tell if Buffalo can keep it up but for now, this is a great way to start December.