After two miserable games in a row, losing to the Blue Jackets and the Bruins (which I just didn’t feel like recapping), the Sabres answered back today with a huge 5-3 win over the Lightning at home.
The Lightning scored first with a great shot on a very good opportunity from Brayden Point, who made it 1-0 on the power play with 7 minutes left in the first period. With 3:45 left in the first the Sabres tied it up at 1-1 on a power play goal of their own, with a beautifully placed shot by Tage Thompson that got past Brian Elliot. Very even first period and the Sabres played quite well against a really good Tampa team. Lot of entertainment with both teams having plenty of good scoring opportunities.
Vinnie Hinostroza gave the Sabres our first lead of the game 5:32 into the second period, making it 2-1 Buffalo on a beautiful goal after some great work behind the net from Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt. The Sabres took a 3-1 lead with Tyson Jost wide open in the front of the net with a nice backhanded goal, shorthanded with 7:30 left in the second. Riley Stillman and Tanner Jeannot, both acquired by their teams at the trade deadline, made their presence know with a fun fight. Stillman got his ass kicked, but cool to see the newcomers go at it. With just 13.5 seconds left in the period, Jack Quinn scored to make it 4-1. Great work by the Sabres and a great way to go into the second intermission with a three goal lead. Fantastic period for the boys, pouring it on against the Bolts.
Jeff Skinner opened the scoring in the third period, making it 5-1 just 53 seconds (#53 just 53 in) into the period on a shot right in the middle of the ice, wide open. Tampa answered back just 2:02 later with Alex Killorn tipping in a long range shot from the point by Nick Perbix to make it a closer 5-2 game. Alex Killorn made it a close game and put the Bolts within two on a short handed goal with 6:42 left in the game on a pretty terrible defensive breakdown by the Sabres leaving him wide open right in front of the net, but that was it as the Sabres went on to win 5-3.
Final: Sabres 5, Lightning 3
Great win from the Sabres today!! Especially after that dogshit loss to the Blue Jackets and the blowout (late in the game) by the Bruins, this was a huge bounce back against a divisional rival and an excellent team in the Lightning. We just got slightly outshot 36-34 but we outplayed the Bolts by an expected goal rate of 3.36-2.76 in a very even game, with each team getting 22 scoring chances. The boys keep rolling in the red and black! Still only one loss with those jerseys this season and the offense always rolls!!
Back in action on Monday night as Connor McDavid and the Oilers come to town!
Let’s Go Sabres!!
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