Recap
The Buffalo Sabres kicked off their first game of the 2019-20 NHL season with a big win on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins, coming away with a 3-1 victory to start the year off on a strong note.
We're with Ralph Krueger following his first regular-season win as our head coach. #Sabres50 https://t.co/Ep9Qbj89Ap
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 4, 2019
In their first regular-season game under new head coach Ralph Krueger, the Sabres looked like a team with chemistry – the defense was making tape-to-tape stretch passes to exit the zone, and the forwards seemed to know where their linemates were going to be in the offensive zone.
The first period was almost all Buffalo, as the Sabres outshot the Pens 17-13, and scored the only goal of the period, as former Penguin Conor Sheary capitalized on a pass from Casey Mittelstadt to open the scoring.
What a pass from Mittelstadt. Conor Sheary makes it 1-0 #sabres #pens pic.twitter.com/wwffB9vxPJ
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) October 3, 2019
Pittsburgh would tie the game up early in the 2nd period on an Evgeni Malkin goal courtesy of assists from Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby. The Sabres would answer back not long after, as Sheary notched his 2nd goal of the game on the power play after another nifty pass from Mittelstadt, and a secondary assist from Colin Miller, who recorded his first point as a Buffalo Sabre.
Conor Sheary with his 2nd of the game on the PP 2-1 #sabres #pens pic.twitter.com/9zN7THhtRo
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) October 4, 2019
The Sabres extended their lead to 3-1 with a minute left in the middle frame as Rasmus Dahlin drove hard to the net and buried a chip shot top shelf. The superstar d-man opened his sophomore season in slick fashion thanks to helpers from Sam Reinhart and Victor Olofsson, who played in his first season-opener as a Sabre tonight.
Wow! Reinhart to Dahlin 3-1 #sabres #pens pic.twitter.com/USdqAne6vA
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) October 4, 2019
Carter Hutton made 28 saves in tonight’s win and had some key stops on the penalty kill toward the end of the third period to help secure the win for the Sabres.
The Sabres will be back at KeyBank Center on Saturday to play in their home opener, in a 7 pm tilt against 2019 first-overall pick Jack Hughes and the new-look New Jersey Devils.
Preview
Sabres hockey is back! A new head coach and a fresh start has Buffalo ready to go tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
50 years in the making, in front of the best fans on earth.
It starts tonight. #Sabres50 pic.twitter.com/0d3L0nerQa
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 3, 2019
Season openers have typically gone very poorly in recent years as they’ve dropped the last six.
Your yearly reminder, at this point: #Sabres have not won their season-opening game since a 5-2 win over the Flyers in the 2012-13 season.
Since then:
'13: (L) 2-1 @ DET
'14: (L) 3-1 vs. CBJ
'15: (L) 3-1 vs. OTT
'16: (L) 4-1 vs. MON
'17: (SO) 3-2 vs. MON
'18: (L) 4-0 vs. BOS— Brayton J. Wilson (@BJWilsonWGR) October 3, 2019
All-Time Series:
Sabres: 67 Penguins: 89 Ties: 35
This is the 192nd meeting between these two teams all-time. The Sabres took two of three last season, both of which were overtime wins.
View the full history between Buffalo and Pittsburgh
Buffalo notes:
Ralph Krueger on Sabres debut: "You’d be nervous if you thought the team wasn’t prepared or uncertain of how they need to play. We feel that the process has begun as smoothly as possible, so I have to tell you honestly I’m going quite confidently onto that bench." https://t.co/jYqjXxIHHy
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) October 3, 2019
Opponent notes:
So Ralph Krueger gets chance to do something Ted Nolan*, Dan Bylsma and Phil Housley could not: Beat the Penguins in regulation.
*Ted beat them in his first stint but not second. pic.twitter.com/0qn3zE8IzX
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) October 3, 2019
