On Thursday in Buffalo, the Arizona Coyotes came away victorious over the Buffalo Sabres in the first meeting of the proverbial “Battle of the Basement.” On Monday night in Arizona, the Sabres come out of the desert with a 4-1 win at the Gila River Arena.
After falling behind very early in the first period, Andrej Meszaros gives Buffalo two goals in the second period to give Buffalo the lead.
The Coyotes pressed hard in the third period, throwing eleven shots at Anders Lindback in the period, but the Sabres would get empty-net goals from Brian Gionta and Rasmus Ristolainen to seal the 4-1 victory.
Ted Nolan was happy with the performance in net from Lindback, as he made 28 saves on 29 shots faced in the Buffalo net. Nolan said following the game that Lindback looked like a true starting goaltender in the NHL against the Coyotes on Monday.
In addition to scoring the two goals of the game, Meszaros was voted the game’s top star, registered three hits, three shots, and two blocked shots in 20:53 of total-ice time.
Sabres captain Brian Gionta was all over the ice for the Sabres on the top line with Matt Moulson and Johan Larsson. Gionta led the team with six shots, and also had a goal, and assist, and two hits in 18:56 of total ice-time.
The Sabres improve its record to 21-47-8, and now sit four points behind the 29th place Coyotes in the standings. The Sabres will now travel back home to Buffalo and await a battle with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night at the First Niagara Center. Opening face-off is slated on Wednesday for 7:30pm, and the game can be seen on MSG Network.