The Sabres traveled to Tampa Bay looking to complete the home-and-home sweep of the Lightning while also extending their current winning streak to four games. Tampa Bay flexed their league-leading muscles as they shoutout the Sabres 5 to 0.
Tampa Bay’s dominant performance was led by multi-point games from both Steven Stamkos (a goal and an assist) and Andrej Sustr (two assists) as well as a perfect performance by Ben Bishop, who stopped all twelve shots that he faced.
Tampa Bay got off to a quick start, scoring just over two minutes into the game however the majority of the offense for the Lightning came within a 10 minute span of the second period where Steven Stamkos, Brenden Morrow, and Jason Garrison all found the back of the net.
Jhonas Enroth was once again the only bright spot for the Sabres. He was hung out to dry on multiple occasions yet managed to only give up 5 goals on 35 shots, including one on a 5 on 3 advantage for Tampa Bay. While the performance wasn’t miraculous by any means, he was solid on a night where there was little to no help in front of him.
Despite being dominated on the scoreboard the game remained relatively tame until midway through the third period, when seemingly all hell broke loose. The last thirteen minutes of the game resulted in 45 game misconducts; Zadorov, Kaleta, Hedman, Boyle, and Morrow as well as 4 fighting majors, 4 roughing, 3 slashing, and one each of interference, cross checking, delay of game, and tripping penalties.
Tampa Bay was the only beneficiary of the late-game penalty calls as Brett Connolly potted the Lightning’s fifth goal of the game with only a minute remaining in the game.
With the loss, Buffalo will remain ranked 27th in the league, only one point ahead of the 28th-placed Carolina Hurricanes.
The Sabres are back in action on Saturday night as they travel to Sunrise, FL to take on the Panthers. You can catch the 7:00 pm puck drop on MSG.