Score: Sabres 5, Penguins 6 (OT)
Shots: BUF: 33, PIT: 43
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Tage Thompson (3), Jordan Greenway (2), JJ Peterka (1,2), Ryan McLeod (1)
Pittsburgh Penguins Goals: Bryan Rust (1), Drew O’Connor (2), Jesse Puljujarvi (1), Evgeni Malkin (2), Rickard Rakell (3), Sidney Crosby (1)
Plus 1: A Good Start
Let’s start with the good. The Sabres came out to a roaring start on Wednesday night, with Thompson opening the scoring just 43 seconds in. Just a few minutes later, Jordan Greenway – who I’ve really liked so far this season – doubled the lead. That quickly, this looked like it could be a good game for Buffalo.
We’ll talk about the bad in a minute, but in addition to a good start, the Sabres put up a good effort midway through the third period, fighting back to tie the game and regain the lead. Great to see JJ Peterka score not just once, but twice, in his return from a concussion. Ryan McLeod has also had shining moments so far in this young season, and it’s nice to see him get his first in the blue & gold to help shift the momentum of the game in Buffalo’s favor. That said…
Minus 1: Blowing It
The Sabres gave up the lead multiple times Wednesday night. To call it frustrating is probably an understatement, but I borrowed a phrase that someone posited in the game thread for the title here – they truly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Multiple chances to win, blown. Then, with the game in hand and a one-goal lead very late in, they let Rakell tie it with 46 seconds remaining in regulation.
Then… the penalty in overtime, leading to the game-winner for Pittsburgh. The writing was on the wall once Thompson went to the box. Pittsburgh had already potted a power-play goal and a shorthanded marker in this game, so of course they’d get the game-winner with the man advantage too.
This should’ve been a win, and there’s no doubt in my mind the Sabres aren’t happy with just getting one point out of this one.
Minus 2: Milestones
Naturally, with both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin heading into Wednesday’s game on the cusp of milestones, both were achieved. Crosby passed 1,600 NHL points with an assist on Rust’s goal, then Malkin notched his 500th NHL goal in the third period.
In 60 career games against the Sabres, Crosby has put up 85 points, including 29 goals and 56 assists. Malkin has appeared in 54 games against the Sabres and scored 73 points, including 22 goals and 51 assists.
Final Thoughts
This one is definitely frustrating, but there’s very little time for the Sabres to dwell on it. They’re right back in action on Thursday night in Columbus for a tilt against the Blue Jackets. While it may not quite meet the emotional threshold of Tuesday’s home opener at Nationwide, there will still certainly be a heavy energy around the Blue Jackets organization and you can expect them to push hard for a win.