Third Period Rally Lifts the Buffalo Sabres Over the Boston Bruins 4-2

Feb 15, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman

(57) pushes Boston Bruins left wing

(17) while in front of goalie

(30) during the third period at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Bruins 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

First Niagara Center was packed to the rafters tonight as the Buffalo Sabres faced off against the Boston Bruins for the third time this season, and there’s no question fans got their money’s worth in this one. After a slow start, Buffalo came back with three goals in the third period to put away Boston with a final score of 4-2. The Sabres seem to be the thorn in the Bruins’ side this year accounting for both of their regulation losses on the season.

First Period:

The Sabres jumped on the scoreboard early as Drew Stafford snapped his score-less streak getting his first goal of the season. The early lead from Stafford seemed to jump start the offense and bring much needed life to Buffalo. For the majority of the first period they looked like a whole different team with the ability to maintain pressure and keep the puck in the offensive zone.

The momentum for Buffalo died off as Stafford took himself out of the spotlight late in the first period with a tripping penalty that led to Boston’s first goal of the game on the powerplay. Dougie Hamilton recorded the tally for Boston giving him his first NHL goal of his career.

Second Period:

Ryan Miller got his fifth start in a row for Buffalo and they needed him desperately in the second period. Buffalo seemingly lost whatever spark they had in the first and looked like the Sabres we’ve come to expect this year playing horrible defense.

Peverley recorded an early goal for Boston giving them the lead early in the second. The second period was a shooting brigade for Boston as they out-shot Buffalo 17-6

Miller bailed out the Sabres robbing scoring chances left and right from Boston and was the only bright spot for the Sabres during the period.

Third Period:

Lindy Ruff must have given his team a hell of a speech during the second intermission because the Sabres came out flying in the third frame. Tyler Myers notched an unlikely goal for Buffalo early in the period to tie the game up at 2 a piece.The momentum was rolling for Buffalo as they continued pouring on the pressure, generating scoring chances all over the ice.

Christian Ehrhoff gave Buffalo the go-ahead goal with a wrister that came off a failed clearing attempt by Tuukka Rask.

The rest of the period was all Buffalo, outshooting the Bruins 10-3. Cody Hodgson  added one more goal on a beautiful feed from Myers making it 4-2 for Buffalo which would be the final score on the night.

My thoughts on the game:

Feb 15, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Drew Stafford (21) is surrounded by his team after scoring a goal on the Boston Bruins during the first period at the First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Stafford! 41 shots later and you finally found the back of the net.  It’s about time buddy. Too bad you screwed it up later in the period taking a penalty that allowed Boston to tie it up on the powerplay. Overall a great night though with 2 points to show for as well as the nod for the second star of the game. Let’s hope you can keep this up.

Tyler Myers finally got his head out of his ass and made a statement with his offensive play earning two points on the night including a goal and an assist. He really came out in the third playing like he wanted to win it for Buffalo. He even used his enormous body for once and got himself the Caruba Collision of the game.

Where’s Thomas Vanek been lately? I miss his hot hand on the ice. He even botched a few chances on the empty net at the end of the game. Maybe a cause for panic with Vanek’s recent cold streak?

One glaring weak spot for the Buffalo Sabres right now is their power play after going 0-5 tonight. They need to be able to generate on the man-up opportunities if they want to continue being successful this season.They are now 1-for-32 on the powerplay in their last eight games… pretty disgusting stat if you ask me.

Hats off to Ryan Miller in this one, he’s has been playing brilliant as of late for Buffalo stopping 107 of 113 shots in their last three games including tonight. His play in net for Buffalo without a doubt earned him the first star.

The Buffalo Sabres showed up tonight and played solid hockey, and the third period was the best I have seen them play all season. They came together as a unit and got the job done, capitalizing on their scoring chances and spreading out the offensive production. On the defensive side they were much more aggressive and shut down the Bruins offense, only allowing 3 shots in the third period. The Sabres need to ride this momentum and string together a few wins to get their season back on track.

The swords are back here at home this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 12:30 start.