Buffalo wakes up after first period snooze
Boxscore
Score: Buffalo Sabres 3-2 Nashville Predators
Shots: BUF 24-25 NSH
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Thompson 34 (Tuch), Zucker 17 (Quinn, Dahlin), Doan 19 (Norris, Ostlund)
Nashville Predators Goals: L’Heureux 1 (Marchessault, O’Reilly), Wood PPG 13 (Josi, Stamkos)
Quick Thoughts
None of these earlier puck drops ok?
The game tonight started at the somewhat odd time of 5:30pm, and it seemed to have caught the Sabres cold. The Preds defensive game kept the Sabres from freewheeling but Buffalo only registered their first shot on goal well after 12 minutes into the first period, and ended the period with just two, Nashville had six. Scoring chances were 10-5 to the visitors too.
Lindy Ruff might have given them an earful at the break, but when the Preds scored early in the second, it was looking like the Sabres were mired in this trap game. That goal seemed to revitalize Buffalo though, and they got skating and their legs moving (like Rob Ray often says). Their passing definitely seemed off and as commenters noted, we looked flat like this when our last long win streak ended against Columbus.
The Lyon King still rules
Alex Lyon was strong in the first, and made a number of timely saves throughout the game, not least on the penalty kill in the second period when the Preds had five shots on goal.
However, it was in the third period when Buffalo had to lean on their unsung hero as he made save after save to keep Nashville out right until they scored on a 6-on-4 in the last couple of minutes to make it a one-goal game. But even after that Lyon was impermeable and led the Sabres to their sixth win in a row.
Thompson’s 10-game points streak
Tage Thompson was on a hot streak even before the Winter Olympics, and came back like he’d not even taken a break. The Sabres have played six games since Thompson picked up the gold medal with Team USA and he’s continued scoring, making it 6G & 5A in the last ten.
His goals have been invaluable for the Sabres on their hot run going back to December, and while he won’t match the ’22-’23 season tally of 94 points, he should come pretty close with 34 goals and 32 assists so far.
Carrick makes his debut
The Sabres made four trades leading up to deadline day, with fourth line center Sam Carrick getting the start tonight. Lindy Ruff gave him plenty of opportunities to show off his workrate, and wasn’t disappointed.
Carrick ended up with 13 shifts for 8:55, one shot, one blocked shot, two hits and 50% on faceoffs, none more important than the last two defensive zone puck faceoffs in the final 30 seconds, with the center winning both against Ryan O’Reilly.
Good Vibes
The Sabres were celebrating youth hockey players and officials today which made for a great atmosphere at KeyBank Center, and things got even better with the very first Buffalo Sabre Gilbert Perreault coming out to bang the drum.
At The Horn
The Sabres are on a six-game winning streak now since the Olympics break, with different players stepping up in each game for the run to keep going. Even in a game where they were flat for about half of it, Buffalo found a way to win despite taking three needless penalties, including one which the Preds scored late on.
On to tomorrow night when early-season runaway division leaders Tampa Bay come calling. Their massive lead has all but evaporated thanks to the Sabres consistent wins, with the two teams tied in points on top of the Atlantic Division but the Bolts have two games in hand.