After this year’s west coast trip got off to a rough start in Anaheim, the Sabres continued to Los Angeles, where they faced off against the Kings at the Staples Center. Although L.A. had ample scoring chances throughout this game, the Sabres earned an early lead and never looked back, winning 3-0 for their second shutout in three games.
After getting the night off last game, Carter Hutton was given the nod in between the pipes and continued his strong start to the year. He improved to 5-0 with a 1.40 GAA, and a .953 SV%. Despite the Sabres getting massively outshot throughout this game, Hutton shined in goal, making 47 saves and keeping his team with a comfortable lead with highlight-reel stops, en route to a franchise record for total saves in a shutout.
“It’s obviously something that’s a feather in your cap, but at the same time it’s just about winning hockey games. We found a way to win and that’s all that matters.”- Hutton
Similar to last night, the Sabres offense started fast, scoring two goals in the first period with Casey Mittlestadt and Conor Sheary sparking the team’s offense. Mittlestadt scored his first of the year, assisted by Sheary and Jimmy Vesey.
Casey Mittelstadt 1-0 #sabres50 #kings pic.twitter.com/QKCba14VrK
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) October 18, 2019
A few minutes later, Sheary scored off assists from Mittlestadt and Rasmus Dahlin. After struggling to produce while Sheary was out of the lineup due to injury, the line of Vesey-Mittlestadt-Sheary continued their strong play from earlier in the season, combining for three goals for a total of six points.
Conor Sheary makes it 2-0 #sabres50 #kings pic.twitter.com/s8PUYYVWkJ
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) October 18, 2019
Entering the second period with a two-goal lead, the Buffalo power play continued to produce after going 1-for-7 the previous night. Mittlestadt scored his second of the game, assisted by Rasmus Ristolainen and Colin Miller just under three minutes into the period, increasing the Sabres lead to three after forty minutes of play in L.A. and was the end of the scoring in this game for either team.
Casey Mittelstadt PP goal 3-0 #sabres50 #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/rtpsu9fgdY
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) October 18, 2019
Another aspect of this game was the decrease in penalties, with the Sabres going 1-for-3 with the man advantage in this game. While the Sabres took control on the scoresheet early and were able to maintain their lead, the Kings did not go down without a fight, as they held a commanding lead in shots on goal after two (28-17), along with a 5-on-3 power play to start the final period. Despite the man advantage, the Kings remained scoreless, with Hutton’s performance tonight reminding fans of Dominik Hasek or Ryan Miller from years past, as he now leads the NHL in save percentage (.953%) and goals against average at 1.40 after five starts.
After splitting their two games in Southern California, the Sabres travel north to San Jose and face the Sharks, who have won their last three games after a rough start to the year. They will square off Saturday night at the SAP Center, puck drop set for 10:30 p.m.