Buffalo Sabres Vs. Boston Bruins Three Stars

By golly, the Buffalo Sabres are finally starting to come together in order to play like an NHL hockey team! It only took them 34 games, but better late than never no? The Sabres just needed to lull the rest of the league into a false sense of security before they pounce and steal away the final playoff spot. Maybe I’m getting a bit ahead of myself eh?

The Buffalo Sabres have now won two straight games having scored four goals in both of those wins. Man, this team is starting to finally look like a team and the offence has arrived. Thank you Ted Nolan for shaking up the lines and creating some much needed offence.

Here’s one quick stat before we dive into the three stars. Ryan Miller is now 6-3-0 with a .939 save percentage against the Bruins since Milan Lucic knocked him on his butt. You think he likes playing the Bruins?

Now onto the three stars-

First Star- Brian Flynn 

Brian Flynn is one of those players in which you’re not sure what to expect. He went un-drafted, the Sabres signed him as a free agent and his potential is unknown. Some expect him to be a top 6 forward, while others aren’t sure he’ll stick in the NHL- but so far he’s doing a pretty good job with the Sabres. Flynn had a big game tonight putting up 2 points on route to helping the Sabres defeat the Bruins.

He scored the Buffalo Sabres first shorthanded goal this season after he was sprung on a breakaway by Alexander Sulzer and sniped a beautiful goal past Chad Johnson. He also had a brilliant move to set up Myers on the 4 goal. He and another Sabre forward went down on a 2-on-1, instead of driving the net or forcing something that wasn’t there Flynn, slowed down and found the trailer to make it a 3-0n-1 and Tyler Myers was wide open to wire it home. Great game by Brian Flynn tonight as he continues to prove that he belongs with the Sabres.

Second Star- Marcus Foligno 

Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Big game for the once missing Marcus Foligno as he scored the second goal to tie the game, assisted on the fourth goal and dropped the mitts with Matt Fraser. A little Gordie Howe hat-trick for Foligno with his new found confidence under Ted Nolan.

This is the first time that Marcus Foligno has scored in back-to-back games in his career. He is well on his way to becoming a very lethal power forward with his size parked in front of the net. Foligno can score, hit and isn’t afraid to go to the dirty area’s and he showed all of that tonight. When he’s playing with confidence and using his size there isn’t much he can’t do.

Third Star- Drew Stafford

Something must be in the air in Buffalo as Drew Stafford looked like a solid hockey player tonight when he scored the game winning goal, to give the Sabres their 2nd straight win. Is he playing for a trade? Or is he finally ready to plug into the Buffalo Sabres?

Stafford was flying all night, forcing turnovers and playing some physical hockey. We’re seeing a new Drew Stafford and I like the new one.