Lyon King Wins His 9th in a Row
Score: Buffalo Sabres 5-0 New York Islanders
Shots: BUF 21-26 NYI
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Zucker 12th (Quinn McLeod) Thompson 27th (Benson, Samuelsson) Zucker 13th (McLeod) Dahlin 8th EN (Krebs) Tuch 18th (Samuelsson, Kesselring)
New York Islanders: No soup for you! Come back, ONE YEAR!
Even 1: Nothing Doing
A scoreless first period to start this game. Buffalo had a few decent chances early but the Islanders controlled play in the second half of the frame. New York fans got some exercise at least, jumping out of their seats twice for nothing. The first time, obvious goaltender interference wiped out a potential Islanders’ goal. The second time the puck went into the net after the green light came on to end the period.
The Sabres D was playing a little too loose in the closing minutes of the frame and starting goaltender Alex Lyon had to be sharp. New York outshot Buffalo in the first by a count of 13-6.
Plus 1: THAT is the 2nd Period We Know and Love
The Sabres found some 2nd period success again, something that has been missing the last few games. Jason Zucker scored his 12th of the year just 33 seconds in with a great pass from Jack Quinn. Ryan McLeod picked up the other assist. Shots were even in the middle period at 7-7 but the Islanders were getting great chances, 2 breakaways and several odd man rushes. Most of that was while the Sabres were on the power play. Something must be done with this atrocious man advantage for Buffalo. When the other team is getting better chances while shorthanded, that is an issue. Alex Lyon stood tall in net. He was calm, cool and collected all game long.
But this is a good news second period for the Sabres. After a goal in the first minute, Buffalo cashed in again in the last minute as well. Tage Thompson sniped one home after an amazing pass from Zach Benson. Taz controlled the puck and seemingly was circling behind the net. New York goalie David Rittich turned to follow the play behind the goal but at the last moment Benson backhanded the puck out front for TNT to bury it uncontested. It was a huge goal to put the Blue and Gold up by two after two. The results sure were good that period but the Sabres must clean up those odd man rushes.
Plus 2: Gimmie a Minute
The first minute/last minute scoring continued in the third as Jason Zucker scored his 2nd of the game and 13th of the season. The goal came just 25 seconds into the period. Ryan McLeod was working the boards and got the puck out front. Zucker was behind the goal but drifted out front to grab it. He spun and swiped it past Rittich for a 3-0 Sabres lead.
There were minimal chances either way the rest of the period as the Sabres lulled the Islanders and their fans to sleep. New York coach Patrick Roy gambled to pull the goalie early, with over 6 minutes left. But Rasmus Dahlin’s long distance shot into the empty cage sealed the victory. Then with Rittich now back in net, Alex Tuch tipped a Samuelsson shot over his shoulder for a sudden 5-0 lead as the fans who were left had enough.
Alex Lyon shut the door early and often in this one, making 26 saves to earn the shutout. Buffalo steamrolls the Islanders as Zucker scores two, McLeod and Samuelsson pick up two assists each and Kesselring scores his first point as a Sabre. A great win for the good guys as they continue to pile up points and make their push towards the post season.
Final Thoughts:
How about this Buffalo goaltending lately? Lyon and Luukkonen have combined to become a dynamic duo in net. They are giving the Sabres every chance to win every time out. Even with the Sabres low shot totals recently and defensive lapses, these 2 goalies are getting it done. Lyon particularly, winning 9 in a row now and posting his second shutout of the year.
Michael Kesselring has had a rough first season with Buffalo, in and out of the lineup with injuries. But he finally picked up his first point of the year, a secondary assist on Tuch’s goal. Good for him to get that monkey off his back. Now let’s go on a run…a Kessel Run.
The Sabres complete their 5 game road trip on Tuesday, January 27th in Toronto when they face the Leafs. Buffalo finally gets two days off in a row, rest up fellas!