Buffalo looked to get back on the winning side of things against the Ottawa Senators, who were losers of three straight coming into tonight’s matchup.
For the Ottawa Senators, playing the Buffalo Sabres was just what the doctor ordered.
From the drop of the opening faceoff, Ottawa controlled possession in the first period. That control was reflected in the overall shot total, which had Ottawa up 14-8 after twenty minutes.
When you’re being out-possessed, the last thing you want to do is make a mistake. Unfortunately, the Sabres did just that and found themselves down a man.
It did not take Ottawa long to capitalize.
Just 45 seconds into the power play, Erik Karlsson put one home from the point. Karlsson’s 13th of the season gave Ottawa a 1-0 advantage.
Heading into the second period, the Buffalo Sabres were gasping for any opportunity to take over the control of this hockey game.
Whatever message was passed along in the locker room during the first intermission seemed to get across to the players.
The Buffalo Sabres opened the second period on absolute fire, outshooting the Ottawa Senators 15-0.
It appeared that the Sabres had scored the equalizer off the stick of Mike Weber, midway through the period, but the goal was immediately waived off. Refs stated that Marcus Foligno interfered with Robin Lehner, right as Weber’s goal slipped through.
Following twenty minutes of play, the total reached 21-4 in favor of Buffalo.
Unfortunately, the Sabres were unable to capitalize on that imbalance in shots, and Ottawa retained the lead after two periods.
The third period would bring better times for the Sabres faithful.
Buffalo’s barrage from the second period would continue into the third, and the Sabres were finally able to take advantage of an Ottawa mistake.
With Eric Gryba in the box for elbowing, the Sabres saw themselves on the man advantage.
Just seconds before the power play expired, Tyler Myers put home a point shot, for his 4th goal of the season. This tied things up in Buffalo at 1.
Things seemed to be going Buffalo’s way.
That would be until Milan Michalek got the puck on his stick. With 7:45 left in the 3rd period, Michalek scored his 8th goal of the season, to put Ottawa up 2-1.
Unfortunately, that would be all she wrote for the Buffalo Sabres tonight. Opportunities were had, but the Sabres just could not capitalize.
When all was said and done, Ottawa would end up winning 2-1.
With this loss, the Sabres drop to 16-36-3 on the year, with 35 points.
Buffalo will next take the ice this Sunday evening against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Puck drops shortly after 7:30 PM, and the game will be broadcast nationally on NBCSN.