Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd Total Sabres 1 1 1 3 Rangers 0 0 2 2
Conor Sheary came up big against his former team, scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to give Buffalo a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night at KeyBank Center.
Sheary also netted another goal and an assist for three points on the night.
“You get a little bit more excited for these [games against Pittsburgh]. It was nice to get a couple of goals, but the win was really important for us.” – Sheary
Conor Sheary wins in OT after a Pittsburgh turnover. #sabres #pens (being challenged for offsides) pic.twitter.com/IqEsSdHvRz
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) March 2, 2019
Sheary may not be the only hero for Buffalo in this game. New addition Brandon Montour tied the game late in the third with a shot from the point, his first in a Buffalo Sabres uniform.
Montour on scoring at home in front of the fans: "It's a great feeling, getting that win, I'm been in here for games before…I know the crowd, when their winning games, the sport is huge" #Sabres
— Brian Koziol (@BrianWGR) March 2, 2019
Montour: "Huge to have a game like that…it goes to show you what type of team we have here…with the confidence we have, this team can go a long way" #Sabres
— Brian Koziol (@BrianWGR) March 2, 2019
Montour gets one through from the point and ties it up 3-3! #sabres #pens pic.twitter.com/OXoI7FxKsv
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) March 2, 2019
Per. Time EV Goal Assist Assist 1 5:43 Nicklas Backstrom (1) Alex Ovechkin (1) T.J. Oshie (1) 1 8:48 PPG Taylor Hall (1) Victor Olofsson (1) Jack Eichel (1) 1 10:33 PPG T.J. Oshie (1) Alex Ovechkin (2) John Carlson (1) 2 7:05 John Carlson (1) T.J. Oshie (2) Nicklas Backstrom (1) 2 13:23 Brenden Dillon (1) Conor Sheary (1) Lars Eller (1) 2 18:46 Tobias Rieder (1) Dylan Cozens (1) Jake McCabe (1) 3 0:20 Jake McCabe (1) Jack Eichel (2) Tage Thompson (1) 3 0:46 Jakub Vrana (1) --- --- 3 18:06 Victor Olofsson (1) Taylor Hall (1) Sam Reinhart (1) 3 18:57 EN Garnet Hathaway (1) Nick Jensen (1) ---
It looked to be a typical type of game that we’ve seen all season. A short lapse that would cost the Sabres despite a late desperate effort.
The Sabres scored first thanks to Jack Eichel’s 23rd of the season, which extended his point streak to seven games, but a penalty turned the tide. Scott Wilson’s double-minor in the second period led to a pair of Penguins goals, giving them a 3-2 lead.
Goals by Patric Hornqvist and Sidney Crosby put Pittsburgh in front.
Jeff Skinner nearly tied the game in the third, but a Penguins player dove into the crease to stop the puck from going in. He also clearly put his hand over the puck in the crease, but there was no penalty shot called. It’s also an unreviewable play.
#sabres thought this should have been called for closing your hand on the puck in the crease. #pens pic.twitter.com/KR8jTrcdAp
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) March 2, 2019
The win was much needed after the Sabres had lost six of the last seven games. They’ve taken the first two games of the season series, defeating the Pens in overtime in both. They have one meeting left.
Linus Ullmark played very well for Buffalo and faced a barrage of shots. He stopped 41 of 44 shots in the win. Matt Murray started for the Penguins and allowed four goals on 30 shots.
If there is any attempt at the postseason, they need to put a big string of wins together.
The Sabres will head to Scotiabank Arena for Saturday night’s contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s their second trip there in less than a week and Buffalo will look to avenge their recent loss. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.