David Legwand Leads Buffalo Sabres Weekly Stars

The Buffalo Sabres started this past week with a rough patch – two losses that were the culmination of an overall six-game losing streak. But they pulled things together in the end, winning back-to-back consecutive games on Friday and Saturday to start a whole new streak.

The week opened on Monday as the Buffalo Sabres hosted the St. Louis Blues in the first of three home games. Troy Brouwer and Robby Fabbri scored for the Blues, who defeated Buffalo 2-1. David Legwand had the lone goal for the Sabres, while Linus Ullmark had 24 saves in the loss.

Two days later, the Nashville Predators came to town for the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Predators took first blood, capturing a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Mike Fisher, Craig Smith and former Buffalo Sabres forward Cody Hodsgon all scored for the Preds. Evander Kane and Jack Eichel tallied for the Sabres, while both Ullmark and Chad Johnson split goaltending duties.

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Two more days later, and it was time for the Carolina Hurricanes to come to town on the heels of American Thanksgiving. It was also time for things to change, and that they did. Josh Gorges, Jack Eichel, Brian Gionta and David Legwand scored for Buffalo in a 4-1 rout of the Hurricanes. Victor Rask had the lone goal for the ‘Canes, while Chad Johnson stopped 27 of 28 shots faced for the win.

The following day, the Sabres hit the road to face the Predators for the second and final time this season. Jamie McGinn, Sam Reinhart (2) and Ryan O’Reilly scored for Buffalo in the 4-1 win. Mike Fisher had the lone goal for Nashville, and Chad Johnson stopped 28 of 29 shots faced.

So — who were your top three performers of the week for the Buffalo Sabres?

3. Chad Johnson

Chad Johnson was on point this week for the Buffalo Sabres. He didn’t play in the team’s first game, but appeared in all three other games.

Johnson came in to relieve Ullmark after he had allowed three goals on eight shots in the Wednesday game against Nashville; he ended up stopping all 12 shots faced.

Johnson also played in both Friday and Saturday’s games, allowing only one goal each night.

Overall, he stopped 67 of 69 shots faced last week – a well-deserving star this past week.

2. Sam Reinhart & Jamie McGinn

Reinhart didn’t have the *best* week, but he ended it strong with a pair of goals on Saturday. He also had five shots on goal – a team-high that night – and overall registered 12 shots on goal throughout the course of the week.

I’m also giving this second star to Jamie McGinn. He was held off the scoresheet in the first two games (though did have two hits in the Wednesday game against Nashville) and then came out roaring in the back-to-back set Friday and Saturday.

McGinn had two assists Friday and finished the night a plus-2. He also registered three hits and one shot on goal.

Saturday, he had one goal, four shots, three hits and was an overall plus-1.

1. David Legwand

Well, I’m not sure I ever thought this day would come, but David Legwand earned this stardom.

He had a goal in Monday’s loss to St. Louis and finished that night a plus-1. Wednesday, he was kept off the scoresheet but had two shots on goal.

Legwand also had a goal on Friday, with another goal that was originally credited to him eventually being passed off to someone else. He had a strong night, with a plus-2 rating overall, one shot on goal and one hit.

He also registered an assist in Saturday’s win.

Next: Sabres Struggle with Coach's Challenge

So, there you have it. This week is a lighter one for the Buffalo Sabres. They’ll visit the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, then have off until Friday when the Arizona Coyotes come into town. They’ll then start a three-game Western Canada road trip with a visit to Edmonton on Sunday, December 6.

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