The Ottawa Senators continue to keep the playoffs within reach with a win over the Buffalo Sabres. Despite bring down 2-0, the Senators managed to get it together and complete the comeback for a 3-2 win.
GAME RECAP
The first goal of the game came just before the halfway point of the first period. Andre Benoit cleared the puck out of the Sabres’ zone. The puck deflected off of Matt Moulson‘s stick at the red line, floating over Erik Karlsson‘s head. Neither Karlsson or Marc Methot were able to get o the puck before Philip Varone, who put it past a surprised Andrew Hammond. It looked like Hammond thought Methot or Karlsson would get to it first, forcing him to try playing the puck at the last second.
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The Sabres extended their lead before the end of the period, as Tyler Ennis fired the puck past a screened Hammond on what seemed like a well contained rush. The Senators split the lead in half just 26 seconds into the second period. Karlsson’s point shot deflected off of Zach Bogosian and past Anders Lindback. The Senators put on great pressure for what seemed like the entire period, but were unable to score again. Sabres up 2-1 going into the third period.
Once again, the Senators scored early in the period. Bobby Ryan brought the puck into the Sabres’ end along the boards. He made a perfect backhanded pass to a rushing Mika Zibanejad who tapped it in past Lindback. Mark Stone gave the Senators their first lead of the game just over 90 seconds after Zibanejad’s goal. The play started from a rare Marc Methot rush. Methot then made an even rarer wraparound attempt that just needed a little help from Stone to make it past the goal line.
THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS
- Watching Buffalo’ defense makes me think they should be trying to get some help there before thinking about getting someone on offense. When defending in their own end, they never move their feet, allowing the attacking team to make passes they have no business making.
- Anders Lindback is the starting goalie for an NHL team. Wow.
- Mark Stone manages to impress me every single game.
- I really enjoyed watching the Lazar-Pageau-Condra line.