The Buffalo Sabres stole a point in St. Louis but couldn’t quite earn themselves the 2nd. Their special teams play could take the blame.
Both of the Blues regulation goals were scored on the power play, and the Sabres couldn’t notch one in their ample opportunities on the man-up.
There were positives all around the game. During 5-on-5 play, Buffalo outplayed one of the better teams in the Western Conference, and it wasn’t even all that close. Opportunity came again and again for Buffalo, they just could not convert what was in front of them.
The game also marked the return of Evander Kane to the lineup. While he didn’t show up on the scoresheet, he logged over 20 minutes on the ice and looked good skating up and down the rink. He had the third and final attempt of the shootout and rang his shot off the post.
Kane’s line, back to the Reinhart-Eichel-Kane of pre-injury, looked really good all night long. Jack Eichel continued his asserting play with the puck on his stick, threading passes where they need to be. He set up Kane and Ryan O’Reilly in the third that were great opportunities to tag that third goal.
Sam Reinhart found himself in the right place at the right time to knock home a rebound after Rasmus Ristolainen put one on net. He is really establishing himself as a solid guy in front of the net. He’s been screening, grinding, and doing the dirty work in front, impressing many people including myself with his more physical play.
The big story was the Sabres special teams, though. Once again they gave up an early goal, on the penalty kill to a blistered Kevin Shattenkirk drive just five minutes into the game. Vladimir Tarasenko’s tally came after Jake McCabe went to the sin bin for slashing.
On the other end, Buffalo didn’t convert on two lengthy 5-on-3 opportunities that didn’t come without chances. While the first one was lackadaisical and low on effort, Buffalo piled on during their 3rd period chance. They had virtually a full two minute 5-on-3 after Scotty Gomez went to the box for slashing and David Backes went to the box for tripping just 13 seconds apart. They fired six shots on goal during the power play, but give credit to Jake Allen who was on his A game all night long.
Ryan O’Reilly had himself a heck of a game, but it could have been even better. He finished with a goal on seven shots, but had two other fantastic opportunities for another. The best came on that 3rd period 5-on-3 when somehow Allen came across the net to take away the open goal. O’Reilly had a great opportunity from Eichel in the same period, and also was alone in front of the net in OT and couldn’t put one away. He was upset with himself for not netting another after the game, but it was nice to see the opportunities there.
Next up, the Sabres travel to a Dallas team that they just played Tuesday night. If they can continue the game they played against St. Louis and shore up the special teams, they will give the 16-4 Stars a run for their money. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. at American Airlines Center.