The Buffalo Sabres put together their best 65 minutes of forechecking and structured defense to top the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Cal O’Reilly, called up just in time for the game, scored the winner in a shootout to give the Sabres a 2-1, win on home ice. O’Reilly, often credited by his brother for helping him become an NHL standout, entered the game as the AHL points leader.
The Sabres came into the game missing six regular skaters, having scored a league-low 31 goals and having lost nine of the last 10 against the Penguins. There was every reason to believe the surging Penguins would pose trouble for the Blue and Gold.
Through two periods, the Sabres maintained a 1-0 lead on William Carrier’s first NHL tally. Another call-up, 28-year old Taylor Fedun stopped a clearing attempt at the blue line and sent a shot towards the net which Carrier re-directed from the high slot. The puck beat Fleury, far-side post.
Despite being outshot by a wide margin, the exceptional play by goaltender Anders Nilsson kept the score 1-0 through two periods. Nilsson finished the night with 46 saves, earning the first star of the game.
The game turned ugly at the 19:29 mark of the second period. Deep in his own zone, with his back clearly facing outward, Marcus Foligno went to retrieve the puck. Pittsburgh defender Brian Dumoulin visciously cross-checked Foligno across the numbers, sending him defenseless, head first, into the end boards. Only a two minute minor was called on the play. A bent-over Foligno was helped off by the trainer.
This illegal play seemed to wake the Sabres and draw them together. It even got the crowd into the game, often loudly cheering between whistles during the third period; an uncommon occurrence this year in the KeyBank Center.
Despite giving up a power play to Sidney Crosby, his 12th, with Cody Franson off for interference at 5:46, the Sabres played a strong third. Play became more intense and physical as the end of the game approached. At one point, after a stoppage in play, diminutive Brian Gionta gave 6’4″ Evgeni Malkin a little hook. Malkin took exception and speared Gionta in the sternum. Gionta pushed back. All ten skaters then paired off and two pairs of penalties were called.
“That’s a win we desperately needed, against one of the better teams in the league, if not the best.” – Coach Dan Bylsma
The overtime period featured tremendous opportunities for each club but were thwarted by sparkling saves by the two goaltenders.
Linesman Greg Devorski was honored before the game for calling his 1500th NHL game.
The Sabres homestand continues Monday night at 7pm against the Calgary Flames.