The Buffalo Sabres finally snapped their 18 game losing streak Wednesday night, winning 6-1 against the Philadelphia Flyers. The victory comes after the Sabres lost a 3-0 lead to the Flyers Monday night, falling in overtime, 4-1.
For the 12th time this season, the Sabres (7-23-5) scored first. At 9:32, Sam Reinhart earned his 13th of the season— currently leading the team in goals. Kyle Okposo’s assist gives him a five game point streak. Curtis Lazar scored a one-timer through the five-hole of Flyer’s goaltender Brian Elliot at 11:59, bringing the Sabres to a 2-0 lead.
To start off the second period, Flyers (17-14-4) Ivan Provorov scored off a pass from Sabres’ Brandon Montour at 3:50. It was evident amongst the Sabres that the goal gave off similar vibes as the previous games, but they pushed past the feeling of doom. Steve Fogarty, who was recalled from the taxi squad prior to game time, scored the Sabres third goal of the night, his first NHL goal at 9:42.
The FIRST NHL goal for Steven Fogarty! 🚨#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/420btxbevL
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) April 1, 2021
Casey Mittelstadt came off the bench and made it 4-1 with his second of the season, another five-hole shot, at 15:39 — Fogarty earned his second point of the night with the assist on the play. Lazar was injured in the second period and did not return.
Buffalo didn’t back down in the final period. Montour scored two back-to-back goals, a short-handed empty net goal at 14:53 and 37 seconds later, he sealed the victory at 6-1. Montour is the second defenseman in Sabres history to score two shorthanded goals in the same game.
https://twitter.com/SabresPR/status/1377440150498631681
This is interim head coach Don Granato’s first NHL victory. As well as Jacob Bryson’s, who had two assists upon returning to the lineup after missing Monday’s game with an upper-body injury, in his 17th game. Linus Ullmark made 31 saves and is 6-5-3 this season. While Elliott started in goal for the Flyers, allowing four goals on 16 shots. He was replaced by Alexi Lyon with 4:21 left in the second, who finished the game with nine saves.
The Sabres sure seem to like Don Granato's system. Playing with a lot more pace and confidence.
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) April 1, 2021
Sure, the Flyers are a mess, but there were encouraging signs at Boston, too.
Although, Buffalo sits at the bottom of the league with a nine point margin, Wednesday night’s victory has given off a small glimmer of hope. The Sabres continue their home game streak against the New York Rangers Thursday night at 7 p.m.