Another 2nd-period collapse set the Sabres even further back in the standings with only 16 games remaining. The “McEichel” showdown did not disappoint as Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid both notched two points for their respective teams.
After a brutal start which led to a short-handed goal by Leon Draisaitl for the Oilers, Eichel got things going for the Sabres as he found a loose puck and followed it up with a top-shelf goal.
GOAL! Captain Jack evens the score with his 24th of the season! pic.twitter.com/NuVIfnLVmr
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 5, 2019
Casey Mittelstadt would follow suit off of a great feed from Scott Wilson. This would be Mittelstadt’s 1oth goal of the season, and Wilson’s first point this season with Buffalo.
Right place, right time!
Mittelstadt scores! It's 2-1! pic.twitter.com/wOGD5VrtoL
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 5, 2019
Things kept going in Buffalo’s favor as Eichel would notch his 2nd of the night, tying a career high of 25 goals on the season.
Eichel's second of the night makes it 3-1!!! pic.twitter.com/TgQEJGAPDA
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 5, 2019
It was all downhill after this as another 2nd-period meltdown broke down the young Sabres’ spirits. Edmonton would put up three unanswered goals in the last four minutes.
McDavid was a factor for Edmonton as he had two primary assists.
He did however miss an empty net breakaway that led to Buffalo getting a power play with under a minute remaining in the 3rd.
In the end, the Sabres just couldn’t find the back of the net to tie up the score. Jason Pominville had a grade-A chance in the latter half of the 3rd that pretty much sums up the season.
The Sabres are now blocking their own shots https://t.co/UmjGYFgjwA
— John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) March 5, 2019
The Edmonton Oilers have pulled themselves within six points of the 2nd Wild Card spot in the West. Leon Draisaitl continued his point streak and now has nine goals and eight assists in 11 games.
The Sabres have essentially taken themselves out of the playoff race as they are nine points out with only 16 games remaining. They will head to Chicago to play the Blackhawks on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m.