Captain Jack Eichel scored twice while Carter Hutton dominated with another impressive performance in a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday afternoon at KeyBank Center.
Buffalo exploded in the second period, scoring three times on only five shots. Eichel tallied his 2nd of the game with Marco Scandella and Jason Pominville each tacking on a goal of their own.
Hutton also had an impressive game, stopping 35 of 37 shots with a few highlights of his own to add. The win puts Buffalo over the .500 mark for the first time in over 5 years.
“You can’t explain it, it just feels different, different energy it just feels great. We are in better shape this year, guys are in better shape.” – Scandella
“I think we are coming together as a group. I think you can see the desperation we play with when you’re winning games and not playing your best, it’s a good sign. Our goalie was again our best player.” – Eichel
A fast-paced first period showed no signs of the odd start time having effect on either side. From the get go, each team played a very physical period resulting in a strong forecheck for Buffalo and drawing two penalties by Vegas. Buffalo would connect on their 2nd power play of the game.
Erik Haula was able to score his first of the season, but Buffalo quickly responded with a goal of their own from Scandella to regain their two-goal lead.
#Sabres Scandella scores!! pic.twitter.com/o0jPwyce2d
— ? Kevin Freiheit ⚾️ (@kmf418) October 8, 2018
There was only one goal to mention in the third, coming off the stick of Jonathan Marchessault for his second of the season. However, Vegas did not let up in the period, piling on 12 shots, requiring Buffalo to call upon Hutton.
Marchessault scores for #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/koBfT8VFWT
— ? Kevin Freiheit ⚾️ (@kmf418) October 8, 2018
The Sabres were able to get through a familiar foe in Marc-Andre Fleury, who has had tremendous success against Buffalo in his career.
The Sabres will look to close out their four-game homestand on a positive note this Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. Following that one, they begin a west coast trip that will see five games before returning home.