Paul Byron scores first NHL goal in Sabres 3-2 victory over Ottawa
The Sabres have entered the All-Star break on a high note, winning four of the last five games, and moving to within four points of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.
Despite falling behind 1-0 in Ottawa on Tuesday night, Buffalo battled back and came away with two points. With his family in the stands watching, Paul Byron scored his first career NHL goal in just his second game. Shaone Morrisonn scored the game-winning goal in Overtime as the Sabres defeated the Senators 3-2.
“It’s big for us to get the two points”, Shaone Morrisonn said. “I just saw an opening and [Pominville] saw me there. I got my second chance on the rebound and put it away”.
Ottawa goaltender Brian Elliot came into the game with a 9-0-1 career record against Buffalo, including a 1.69 goals against average and a .945 save percentage. Elliot made 23 saves on 26 shots, but remains undefeated in regulation against Buffalo.
Ryan Miller made his 26th consecutive start and earned his 21st victory of the season. Miller hurt his own cause by taking a penalty, which Ottawa would score on. Morrisonn bailed him out in overtime, but Miller was making big saves all game long. Miller finished the night with 27 saves and was named the game’s first star.
The Senators have been falling rapidly, and the Sabres took advantage of that on Tuesday. The Sabres have now taken three out of the first four meetings between these teams.
The all-star break could not have come at a better time as the Sabres are dealing with a number of injuries. Buffalo can allow those injured players to rest for the better part of two weeks before regular season play resumes February 4th against Pittsburgh.
In just a span of 12 games, the Sabres power play has gone up from 20th to 12th in the league.
Buffalo’s Paul Byron scored his first NHL goal with his family watching from the stands, tying the game at one. Jochen Hecht put the Sabres on top with a backhanded shot that beat Elliot. Tyler Myers assisted on both goals. The Sabres led 2-1 after two periods of play. Ottawa is now 0-17-3 when trailing after two periods.
Chris Kelly scored the first goal of the game for Ottawa. Coming into the game, the Senators had lost just three out of 17 times when scoring the first goal. The Sabres made it four losses with a come from behind win.