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Buffalo Sabres defense comes up big in Eric Comrie’s homecoming

By Sion Fawkes

Jan 26, 2023; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Owen Power (25) is congratulated by his team mates on his goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2023; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Owen Power (25) is congratulated by his team mates on his goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defensive play has been an issue for the Buffalo Sabres often this season, but fortunately, they showed up big tonight in Eric Comrie’s homecoming. 

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie was just under five minutes from his first shutout of the season against his former team. Then Nate Schmidt scored a power play goal and brought an end to any hopes for a perfect ending in tonight’s game.

While it would have been great to see Comrie notch a shutout, the Sabres defense showed up in a big way, constantly forcing the Winnipeg Jets to improvise. They took away Winnipeg’s favorite lanes, and the Jets grew erratic despite the late rally, often forcing passes that weren’t there.

The Sabres outpaced Winnipeg for most of the second period, and it carried well into the third, allowing them to jump out to a 3-0 lead before Schmidt’s late goal. Overall, it was a well-played, all-around defensive effort the Sabres can build on.

Buffalo Sabres defense comes up big in 3-2 win over Winnipeg

Defense has been an issue for the Sabres all season. Coming into this game, they were second in goals scored with 180, but just 22nd with 160 goals allowed. Often, the Sabres found themselves out of position defensively, allowing opponents to get behind them and score easy goals.

That didn’t happen tonight, so the latest challenge for the Sabres is if they can build on this solid performance. Can they continue to force opponents into making bad decisions with the puck and taking away their favorite lanes? If they want to be one of eight teams in the Eastern Conference playing in the postseason, they aren’t going to have a choice.

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Overall, it was an outstanding game for the defense compared to what they’ve been doing earlier in the season. If they can play like this consistently, then you will see this team in serious contention for the wild card. But as for tonight, let’s enjoy yet another win against one of the NHL’s better teams.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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