If there’s one team the Sabres wanted to keep playing, there’s no doubt it’s the New Jersey Devils. Buffalo has found success against this team early on this season, but tonight, they couldn’t find victory.
Pavel Zacha ripped a shot past Carter Hutton early in overtime to send his team off with the 4-3 win.
Zacha OT winner 4-3 #LetsGoBuffalo #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/MndmaXR3PV
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) February 26, 2021
The Sabres were in good shape until early in the third period when Taylor Hall was called for a double-minor high-sticking penalty. The Devils scored twice during that to flip the script, and the Sabres found themselves trailing for the first time of the night.
| Per. | Time | EV | Goal | Assist | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6:28 |  Riley Sheahan (2) | Victor Olofsson (8) | --- | |
| 2 | 5:27 |  Jesper Bratt (1) | Pavel Zacha (6) | Damon Severson (7) | |
| 2 | 8:03 | PPG | Casey Mittlestadt (1) | Eric Staal (5) | Colin Miller (3) |
| 3 | 4:25 | PPG | Miles Wood (6) | Nikita Gusev (2) | Ty Smith (7) |
| 3 | 6:45 | Nico Hischier (1) | Pavel Zacha (7) | --- | |
| 3 | 15:30 | PPG | Sam Reinhart (7) | Taylor Hall (11) | Rasmus Dahlin (7) |
| OT | 1:17 | Pavel Zacha (5) | Jesper Bratt (5) | Ty Smith (8) |
Luckily one of the Sabres most consistent players, Sam Reinhart, cashed in on the power play, which allowed Buffalo to salvage a point in the loss, but they’re going to need to start winning a whole lot more if they want any chance of making the playoffs.
Jack Eichel was expected to play but then was ruled out with an injury just shortly before the game started.
But a guy wearing his old number (#15) opened the scoring. Riley Sheahan found the net, and later in the game, Casey Mittelstadt recorded his first goal of the year (on the power play).
Mittelstadt on his current mindset: "I'm trying to have fun everyday, knowing that it can be taken away at any point" #Sabres
— Brian Koziol (@BrianWGR) February 26, 2021
Jeff Skinner was a healthy scratch for the third straight game as he continues to be in the doghouse, even though Head Coach Ralph Krueger wouldn’t admit it earlier today.
Linus Ullmark exited the game after an injury in the first period:
wow, what a sequence of saves from Ullmark #LetsGoBuffalo #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/ICy740FVPX
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) February 26, 2021
Hutton allowed four goals on 25 shots and took the loss:
Hutton was bad but I mean they didn't do him any favors in the 3rd period. pic.twitter.com/AdzGqRn4pq
— πΈπππ β (@sharpndpensel) February 26, 2021
Zacha had three points on the night and Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 29 of 32 shots.
The Sabres scored just one even-strength goal in this one, something that has been hard to come by.
This game could have gone much differently without Hall’s penalty as that proved to be costly.
We’ll have to wait and see what the injury status of Ullmark is. Losing him for any period of time will be a huge blow. Hutton is a veteran goaltender but he has looked very shaky early on in this season and wasn’t spectacular last year either.
The Sabres will remain home before a pair of afternoon games against the Philadelphia Flyers this weekend. They’ll play at 1 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. After that, they’ll be heading to NYC to take on the New York Rangers followed by three against the New York Islanders.