The Buffalo Sabres hosted the Chicago Blackhawks Sunday afternoon at KeyBank Center as the Sabres look make it three wins in a row.
A speed-filled first period found the first goal of the game by Ryan Hartman who snapped a wrist shot past a screened Lehner. A unique 5-on-3 for Buffalo developed when Richard Panik and former Sabre Brian Campbell were sent to the box for high sticks 12 seconds apart. Unfortunately, Buffalo could not capitalize as Chicago successfully killed the penalties. With 5.6 seconds in the first, Evander Kane tied the game from a feed behind the from Jack Eichel.
Marian Hossa put the Blackhawks back on top almost halfway through the second when he beat Lehner 5-hole. Jonathan Toews put away a rebound past Lehner to build the Chicago lead to 3-1.
“…did too much sitting back, in our own zone” Jack Eichel said speaking about what went wrong in the second.
Artem Anisimov put the Blackhawks up by 3 in the third from a pass by Buffalo native Patrick Kane for his 21st of the year. Patrick Kane was left alone and was able to stick handle enough to put it past Robin Lehner bringing the score to 5-1. All five of Chicago’s goals were scored by different players.
Buffalo remains in the playoff hunt for now in the wildcard with 62 points heading into the bye week. The next game is scheduled for Saturday 2/25 against the Avalanche.