Three second-period goals were all the Sabres needed to get back in the winning column on Saturday as they defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, at KeyBank Center.
The Sabres never trailed and played a strong all-around game to hold a two-goal lead throughout the third period.
Andreas Athanasiou had a couple of big opportunities in the third. He had one shot go off the crossbar and was later denied on a breakaway attempt by Linus Ullmark.
Ullmark save pic.twitter.com/Ls1cN51pPk
— Ben Mathewson (@Ben_Mathewson) February 9, 2019
Despite giving up six goals in his previous game, Ullmark bounced back and stopped 28 of 29 shots.
“I thought we did a terrific job back there, even when we did give them opportunities, we recovered really well.” – Ullmark
Secondary scoring was a problem for Buffalo earlier in the year, but they’re getting help in that department lately. Goals from Casey Mittelstadt and Conor Sheary helped the Sabres get out to a two-goal lead midway through the game.
Sheary takes advantage of a turnover and makes it 1-0! #sabres #lgrw pic.twitter.com/eydakLgKCL
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) February 9, 2019
Jack Eichel’s helper on Mittelstadt’s power-play tally gave the captain a new career high with his 41st assist.
Kyle Okposo scored Buffalo’s third goal on the power play, ripping a shot into the top corner of the net for his 10th of the season. The Sabres have gone 5-for-10 with the man advantage in recent play.
Okposo scores on the powerplay making it 3-1! #sabres #lgrw pic.twitter.com/ZHL8o7Qe2M
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) February 9, 2019
“Definitely a better defensive effort… I thought we did a much better job eliminating time and space” ” – Okposo
Evan Rodrigues had arguably his best game as a Sabre. He registered one assist, but the spotlight should be on his work ethic, specifically on the penalty kill.
The Sabres are right back in action on Sunday as they continue their seven-game homestand. They’ll take on the Winnipeg Jets in a 3 pm matchup at KeyBank Center, another crucial game as the Sabres look to remain in the chase for the playoffs.
Per. Time Player Penalty Minutes 1 5:52 
Vladimir SobotkaHooking 
2:001 13:22 Rasmus RistolainenSlashing 2:001 16:38 
Vincent TrocheckSlashing 2:002 4:35 Frank VatranoHolding 
2:002 6:57 Rasmus DahlinTripping 2:000 0 00 00 0 00 00 0 
00 0