At the final horn of the Buffalo Sabres tilt with the Montreal Canadiens, it felt like waking up from a nightmare for fans of the Blue and Gold.
The Buffalo Sabres literally looked like a different hockey team last night, and one we haven’t seen since they outscored the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins by a combined score of 14-6 three weeks ago. It was a relentless barrage of goals from the first 30 seconds-onward, with the game ending in a 7-2 blowout over the Montreal Canadiens.
Now that the game is in hindsight, the Sabres, 8-11-0, have a lot of work to do if they plan on getting back to where they were earlier this season. And there are three big aspects to their game last night that helped them break their losing streak. Let’s discuss.
1 – Crashing the net
It only took 30 seconds for Tage Thompson to beeline his way toward the net and toss one back to Rasmus Dahlin in the slot who was likewise coming through. Fifteen seconds later, the Sabres crashed the net again, with Dylan Cozens and J.J. Peterka taking advantage of a lethargic Canadiens to increase the lead to 2-0 within the game’s first minute.
Sure, it came against Montreal, but the art of getting the puck close enough to lessen the probability of an opposing goaltender making the save is the first step in this happening on a routine basis. Clearly, it worked, as they put the puck in the net seven times on 38 shots on goal, good for an 18.4% shooting percentage.
2 – Special teams play
The Buffalo Sabres have been horrific on the power play and penalty kill, especially the latter. Over the past eight games, the unit allowed 10 goals, for an average of 1.25 per game. Enter Tyson Jost, who I stated yesterday was arriving on the Sabres at the right time.
With Jost, who at one point single-handedly prevented an easy scoring chance, on the unit, the Sabres went a perfect six for six on the penalty kill. But it wasn’t just the PK unit making strides last night; they also went two for four on the power play.
3 – Opportunities for the Buffalo Sabres most dangerous scorers
When you think of the Buffalo Sabres most dangerous scorers, you think of Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Jeff Skinner, and the four players combined for 15 points last night. That’s 3.75 points per.
Just as in any sport, when you want to score and score often, you put the ball, or in this case, the puck, in your best offensive players’ hands, or on their stick. You find a way to get the ball or puck to them, as it raises the probability of a score.
The Sabres did that last night, and you will continue to see them embark on the same strategies tonight against the St. Louis Blues as they go old school in those black goathead jerseys. When the Sabres implement all of the above, expect a hardfought game tonight.
(Statistics provided by NHL.com)
Article Source: Observations: Top line, stronger defense help Sabres snap losing streak by Lance Lysowski
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