The Buffalo Sabres got the winless monkey off their back during a St. Patrick’s Day game, snapping a seven-game losing streak in the shootout. Alex Nylander had two assists and Sam Reinhart tucked in the game-winning goal off Jake Allen’s glove in this hard-fought contest.
Count on Sam. 🚨 #CellyOn @LabattUSA pic.twitter.com/5XZIYJIaKQ
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 18, 2019
Buffalo came out hot, netting two first period goals and holding a one-goal lead most of the game. Brayden Schenn answered for the Blues halfway through the third period to send the game into overtime. Reinhart had a shot go off the post with 0.1 seconds remaining in overtime, only to find the back of the net in the shootout to get Buffalo back to the win column.
The Sabres fought hard through this entire back and forth game and proved they can play a full 60 minutes with talented teams in the NHL. With points from eight different players, Buffalo saw the depth they are looking for from this group of guys to win games. The Blues earn one point on a night where two would have been a strong move. The Dallas Stars are just three points behind in the fight for the third position in the Central division and St. Louis still trails Nashville by five.
“It’s exciting to see them (the fans) into the game. We want to be good for our fans, we want to be good on home ice, as of late we haven’t been, so tonight was a big win for us.” – Conor Sheary
Buffalo can attribute their scoring opportunities to developing the breakout tonight as all three goals in regulation came from a breakout rush. Zach Bogosian pushed the play deep into the St. Louis zone and made a great pass to Johan Larsson who finished it top corner. Evan Rodrigues lead a rush later in the period and outwaited everyone to find the open net. The third goal for Buffalo then came from a great outlet pass to Nylander from Rasmus Dahlin, Nylander fed Sheary who also finished it top corner on Josh Allen.
From start to finish, this entire play was BEAUTIFUL. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VVfY2jMTvv
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 17, 2019
“I am trying to be a little bit of both (passer and shooter), but I am going to try to take advantages of the chances I get.” – Alex Nylander
St. Louis battled hard in this game as well, fighting from behind all night to earn the point they walked away with. They were able to gain open space and use screens to find the back of the net. Pat Maroon and Brayden Schenn both found open ice on the sides of the net and were able to put it by Carter Hutton. David Perron used a screen of players, after Rasmus Ristolainen’s stick exploded on a one-timer attempt, and was able to put it off the post and in.
Hits and shots were nearly identical with the Blues edging out the Sabres on hits 27 to 26 and Buffalo outshooting St. Louis 34 to 33. Goaltending on both ends was great, keeping their teams in the game throughout. Hutton made quite a few big saves, including one early in the first that could have taken the wind out of the sails after an early Buffalo goal. Jake Allen was solid for the Blues at the other end as well, not allowing any goals in the third period and keeping St. Louis in for a point.
“We haven’t gotten results the last two weeks. I’m just happy for our guys. They continued to fight and found a way to win tonight. – Phil Housley
Buffalo will play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the end of their three-game road trip on Wednesday night in KeyBank Center at 7 pm.