Ostlund, Ellis Hit Black Gold In Big Win
Score: Buffalo Sabres 5-1 Edmonton Oilers
Shots: BUF 29-32 EDM
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Ostlund 2nd (PPG) (Rosen, Dahlin) Bowen Byram 3rd (Kozak, Krebs) Malenstyn 1st (Dahlin, Samuelsson) Ostlund 3rd (Dunne) Thompson 9th EN (unassisted)
Edmonton Oilers Goals: Roslovic 7th (Draisaitl, Mangiapane)
Plus 1: Amerks’ Assistance
Colten Ellis got his second consecutive start for Buffalo and was tested within seconds to start the game. The Sabres answered with some solid, sustained pressure and good passing but no shots on goal. That seems to be a theme with Buffalo, going long stretches to start a period without a shot and it happened again here in the first. They finally got one when Mattias Ekholm went off for high sticking Alex Tuch, nearly 8 minutes into the game. No dice on the Sabres’ power play, with Tage Thompson having the best chance in close.
With a little over 9 minutes left in the period, Josh Doan took an interfence penalty and the Sabres went to the penalty kill. The number #1 ranked PK did the job, keeping the Oilers mostly to the outside and clearing the puck out several times. With under 6 minutes to go, Ryan McLeod got a great shot away on Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner but the goaltender made his best stop of the period. Shortly after, Conor Timmins made a nice dish to Tuch who got a good shot away as well. Colten Ellis made a nice save late, which resulted in some face washes and pushing and shoving among the players.
Then the unthinkable happened. God’s gift to the NHL, Connor McDavid himself, took a high sticking penalty on Rasmus Dahlin. A call in the offensive zone for the Oilers. Buffalo cashed in quickly after Noah Ostlund took a pass from Isak Rosen at the side of the net. The rookie made a great move, a lightning fast spin out front and tucked it home past Skinner. Dahlin picked up an assist on the play too as the Sabres jumped out to a 1-0 lead. It was a big goal to get late in a mostly defensive period with limited chances on both sides. Edmonton got 7 shots to Buffalo’s 6.
Plus 2: Unsung Heros
Tage Thompson took the puck to the net again early in the 2nd (so good to see!) and got pushed into Skinner and the post. No call on the play and both players were ok. Later Peyton Krebs had a good chance on the rush but his shot was partially fanned on, an easy stop for Skinner. The Oilers would then get on the board as the Sabres were caught changing. The defense got back but Edmonton had the numbers and took advantage. Leon Draisaitl made a nice pass to the trailing Jack Roslovic in the slot who rifled a 20-footer past Ellis to tie the game.
Bo Byram would give Buffalo the lead again about 4 minutes later after some great pressure. The Sabres moved the puck around, won some board battles and worked hard on the play. Tyson Kozak eventually made a nice pass to a fading Byram who one-timed it past Skinner. Buffalo kept up with the attack and a little over a minute later, Beck Malenstyn got his 1st on the season, tipping Dahlin’s point shot. The puck dipped and skipped it’s way to the back of the net for a 3-1 Sabres lead. It was a HUGE momentum swinging couple of shifts for the Sabres, who scored two through sustained effort and drive.
Buffalo threw their weight around in the period, with Krebs and Malenstyn giving good bumps. The only penalties were at the 20 minute mark, when Vasily Podkolzin and Krebs got into a one-sided skirmish. The Sabres held the shot advantage in the 2nd, 13-10. Much more action and scoring chances in the second frame, for sure. It was nice to see some bottom six players chip in on offense tonight.
Plus 3: Noah’s Arc
The Sabres got some good looks to start the third, with McLeod and Tuch getting solid chances. Quinn and Rosen had a nice give-and-go too, but Skinner was there to make the stops. Buffalo showed lots of speed all night long, which led to most of their chances. Tuch nearly snuck the puck in as he circled behind the net 8 minutes in. (Try saying “Tuch nearly snuck the puck” three times fast) But Buffalo FINALLY got that 4th and game clinching goal when Noah Ostlund scored his 2nd of the game. Off a draw, Josh Dunne worked the puck to Ostlund who circled around the net and skated right out front. Malenstyn planted his big body outside the crease and provided a massive screen. Skinner never saw the rookie’s shot as the Sabres padded their lead to 4-1. It was a statement goal for the Sabres, one that cemented a great winning effort.
Noah Ostlund is supposed to be playing deep in Rochester’s lineup at this point. But he is making waves in the NHL right now. Playing mostly with grinders tonight, Noah still tallied twice. He is making a strong case to stay with Buffalo, when they do get healthy. Quite an unexpected arc for the young player.
Edmonton pulled the goalie very early in a last ditch effort to score. McDavid fed Draisaitl for a great chance but Ellis made an insane reaction save, his best of the night. Not long after, Thompson iced it with a long distance empty netter. (so THAT is what it feels like?!) Buffalo wins 5-1 in a stunning showing against the high-powered Oilers. A tremendous effort all around for the Blue and Gold. Final shots were 32 to 29 in favor of Edmonton.
Final Thoughts:
What a MASSIVE win for this team, still deeply undermanned with many injuries. Colten Ellis was a big part of it, looking calm and cool in the crease. He made all the saves and often helped move the play up ice. He now has 3 wins in his 4 starts, stopping 31 of 32 shots in the game.
Big time props to the 4th line tonight and the bottom six in general. Buffalo’s big guns played well but were kept off the scoreboard until Tage’s empty netter. They fed the flow and made hard work look easy.
The Sabres next game is Wed, Nov 19th at 7:30 pm when they host the Calgary Flames.