The second-period surge was all it took for the Buffalo Sabres as their five goals were more than enough to defeat the New Jersey Devils. Buffalo ended up with a 5-1 victory at KeyBank center on Tuesday night.
The Sabres had 14 players record a point in the second period. According to @PR_NHL, it tied the Sabres' franchise record for most players with a point in a single period.
The other instances were on Nov. 2, 2006 vs. Tampa Bay and Oct. 21, 2009 at Florida. #NHLStats
— Sabres PR (@SabresPR) January 9, 2019
“When you tire teams out, the goals will start to go in…we had all four lines contributing, it could’ve been even more in the 2nd.” -Evan Rodrigues
After giving up a first period goal, the Sabres started their engines and never looked back. It all started with a tremendous effort from Jeff Skinner within the first two minutes of the second period.
Skinner goal replay 2 pic.twitter.com/CrrEGRH4sh
— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) January 9, 2019
Besides Skinner’s goal, Casey Mittelstadt provided a Max Afinogenov-like highlight reel goal. Coming into the zone with speed, Mittlestadt cut inside on the defenseman and threw a backhander on net that provided a juicy rebound in close.
Mittelstadt goal replay 1 pic.twitter.com/dbuWD8xD6m
— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) January 9, 2019
Tage Thompson had what very well could be the second best play of the game as he charged from his own zone all the way past four Devils players before his last move on net was deflected away.
Thompson doing stuff with the puck pic.twitter.com/QiSCaLZqDv
— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) January 9, 2019
Carter Hutton was solid in net while turning 20 of 21 shots away.
New Jersey’s only goal came on a deflection right in front from Blake Coleman. Keith Kinkaid gave up five goals on 33 shots, but still made some great saves.
This game provided a pair of first career NHL goals for both C.J. Smith and Lawrence Pilut.
“My first thought is always to get the puck through…I just have to find the lane and find the net, today was a big booster for me, hopefully some more will come.” -Pilut
First career @NHL goals for @_CJ_Smith_ and @LPilut! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Y3q2QnStF2
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 9, 2019
Count it. pic.twitter.com/NYSwoGJwKj
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 9, 2019
Pilut goal replay 2 pic.twitter.com/xsPlkZpfHS
— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) January 9, 2019
This win gave Buffalo their 2nd win in 3 games in 2019. New Jersey has now dropped 3 of 4 games in 2019.
Buffalo will look to keep 2019 a successful year as they head into Raleigh, North Carolina on Friday night at 7:30. They will take on the 20-17-5 Carolina Hurricanes.
