New Jersey’s captain Andy Greene scored on a penalty shot 30 seconds into overtime to give the Devils a 2-1 victory Friday at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. The Sabres’ third consecutive home loss overshadowed a brilliant 42-save effort from backup goalie Anders Nilsson.
It was the second consecutive home loss for Sabres in which they had the lead going into the second half of the game. In six home games this season, the team has managed just seven goals.
Devils’ backup goaltender Keith Kinkaid, who came in with sparkling numbers (1.98 GAA and .937 S%), gave up the first goal of the game, a power play marker scored by Matt Moulson. His fifth of the season came off a floating puck rifled into the top of the short side at 10:34 of the first while Devils’ Nick Lappin was off for tripping. Ryan O’Reilly was credited with an assist, the 200th of his career.
A little over three minutes into the third period, Yohann Auvitu evened the score at one with his first NHL goal, sending a soft shot from the blue line through five bodies. Nilsson tracked it at the last moment, only to have it deflect into the net off his catching glove. It seemed to surprise everyone in the building, even play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret.
In the opening of the overtime period, Evander Kane took his third penalty of the game in an effort to stop a breakaway. In the resulting penalty shot, Andy Greene took the puck wide and then slowly made his way toward the net, slipping a shot through the five hole for the victory.
Twice the Sabres found themselves at a two-man disadvantage. Both times Derek Grant and O’Reilly blocked multiple shots to help kill the penalties. And Anders Nilsson was fantastic throughout, giving the Sabres a chance to win the game.
“He made several big saves. They had a flurry on their last four minute power play in the third where they had 9 or 10 or 12 pucks on the net in those four minutes. He came up strong for us again. For his work, you’d like him to get the W.” – Coach Dan Bylsma
Auvitu, recent acquisition Taylor Hall, and winning goalie Kinkaid were the best players on the ice for the visiting Devils.
Ryan O’Reilly was noticeably absent from the Sabres’ bench early in the third period. He re-aggravated a mid-body injury and may not return to the line-up until Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
These two teams will be back at it in the second half of a home and home series tomorrow. Game time is 7 p.m. EST from the Prudential Center in Newark.