The Sabres’ three-game west coast swing finished much like it started. Another shutout loss, this time by former Sabres’ goaltender Jhonas Enroth, by a score of 2-0. It’s the sixth time this year the Sabres have been held scoreless.
The Sabres tallied their only goals on their west coast trip against the Sharks Friday night.
“There’s no question that we’re not going to win with zero on the board. That’s for sure. I don’t think we took full advantage of our opportunities tonight. We had three power plays, and you have to cash in on one of those, at least.” – Dan Bylsma
Enroth made 23 saves for his seventh NHL shutout and Tanner Pearson scored twice—once in the second period and again in the third.
“It was a special game for me,” Enroth said. “It’s always nice to get a shutout but against your former team, that’s a great feeling.”
Robin Lehner was sharp, making 33 saves for Buffalo. Once again, a lack of goal support plagued him.
Pearson’s first goal was a rebound from Alec Martinez’ one-timer that struck Zemgus Girgensons on the leg. Pearson scooped up the puck and beat Lehner glove side. The assist was Martinez’s 100th NHL point.
Pearson converted a rebound of Jake Muzzin’s initial shot for his 10th of the season with 6:02 remaining in the third period. It was Pearson’s first multi-goal game of the season. The Kings are 9-0-0 when Pearson scores.
Jack Eichel had a team-high six shots on goal in the game but endured his sixth straight game without a goal. He was also on the ice for both of Pearson’s tallies.
The Kings won for their fourth straight and extended their Pacific Division lead to four points over Anaheim. The Kings had two disallowed goals as well.
The Kings welcomed back Rob Scuderi in a trade deadline deal with Chicago and even had a video tribute for him midway through the first period, getting a standing ovation from the crowd. Scuderi didn’t waste time, contributing with an assist on Pearson’s first goal.
The Sabres face Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at First Niagara Center on Tuesday. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.