Buffalo Sabres Three Stars Vs. Minnesota Wild

Don’t worry I’m not going to say it, I won’t use the dreaded “S” word which has become the theme of the Buffalo Sabres to start this season. But once again the Buffalo Sabres drop another one-goal game falling to 0-6-1 on the season and I know Jhonas Enroth has been solid, but he has to have at least one of the two goals he allowed tonight.

In typical Buffalo Sabres fashion former captain Jason Pominville– who didn’t receive any recognition from the Sabres- scored the game winning goal for the Minnesota Wild. He also spent lots of time talking to Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller before the game, perhaps convincing them to join him in Minnesota?

Anyways let’s not dwell on another loss or the fact that the Sabres set the franchise record for the longest win-less start to a season, let’s focus on the positives as we take a look at the Buffalo Sabres 3 stars from tonight’s game.

First Star- Brian Flynn 

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The veterans on this team have not stepped up to the plate to kick off this season, instead it’s been the younger players giving it their all. Flynn has been one of those players who hasn’t taken a night off and is apart of the Sabres best line. Is Brian Flynn a superstar? No, but you have to give him credit for what he’s done early on.

Tonight he scored the Sabres only goal and 7th on the year and that alone earned him the title of 1st star. But when you look at Flynn you see a determined young player. He flies all over the ice, lays hits and most importantly is making plays alongside Mikhail Grigorenko and Zemgus Girgensons.

Second Star- Zemgus Girgensons

Zemgus Girgensons continues to be one of the best and most consistent

Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

players for the Sabres early on. He may not be scoring heaps of goals but he’s making an impact and impressing a lot of people. Tonight Girgensons was a force on the Flynn goal, using his size and speed to keep the play alive so Flynn could capitalize.

Perhaps what was most impressive tonight was Girgensons defencive play late in the third period as Dany Heatley led a 2-on-1. Girgensons hustled back and instead of tripping or hooking Heatley and taking a penalty, he gave Heatley’s leg a slight shove with his blade causing the Wild forward to fall. Girgensons was not assessed a penalty and the Wild didn’t score. It was an extremely smart play by the young Girgensons’ to make that late in a game.

Third Star- Mark Pysyk 

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Choosing a third star for tonight’s game was no easy task, I mean there were so many players to choose from. Thomas Vanek, Cody Hodgson and Drew Stafford were all scoreless and failed to play any kind of defence. Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno also failed to pot a goal and the majority of defencemen had a rough game. I was debating giving it to Hodgson who did play a solid game but his lack of effort on the penalty he was going to take leading to the 1st goal changed my mind.

Instead I’m giving it to Mark Pysyk who played yet another sound game on defence. Pysyk has been one of the best and most reliable guys on the back-end and shows tremendous upside. Pysyk played another solid game on the blueline and continues to impress all.

The Buffalo Sabres play again tomorrow night as they face-off against the New York Islanders seeking once again their first win of the season.