The Buffalo Sabres recorded a couple of improbable back-to-back wins. And it also brought not one, but two firsts in franchise history.
It was thrilling in and of itself to see the Buffalo Sabres skate into Florida and score back-to-back wins against two of the NHL’s better teams. Anyone who has followed the Blue and Gold in recent years know full well how much they struggled against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, so to see them pull off these upsets was nothing short of special.
But you may not realize that not one, but two significant firsts occurred in franchise history in these back-to-back wins. So let’s give them some recognition.
Ilya Lyubushkin’s short-handed game-winning goal
While Jason Pominville accomplished the feat in the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, someone scored a short-handed game-winner in overtime during the regular season for the first time in Buffalo Sabres history. That someone was Ilya Lyubushkin, and it also happened to be his first goal of the 2022-23 season. Good timing, right?
But wait, it gets better! Lyubushkin scored that short-handed OT goal unassisted. This hasn’t happened since 1937, when the New York Rangers Ott Heller pulled it off, per Mike Harrington of Buffalo News. (originally derived from OptaStats).
Craig Anderson’s legendary evening
Per Stats Centre, Craig Anderson became the oldest goaltender in franchise (and NHL history) to record 50+ saves in a game. At 41 years, 279 days, Anderson topped Gump Worsley of the Minnesota North Stars (41 years, 269 days) for the honor.
Oldest goalies to record a 50+ save regular season game - NHL history:@BuffaloSabres Craig Anderson (53 SVs at 41 years and 279 days of age vs FLA tonight)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) February 25, 2023
MNS Gump Worsley (63 SVs at 41y-269d on Feb 7, 1971 vs BOS)
NYI Dwayne Roloson (58 SVs at 40y-042d on Nov 23, 2009 vs TOR) pic.twitter.com/wkr9HOjM6E
Overall, Anderson saved 53 of 54 shots on net, for a 0.981 save percentage. The big night put Anderson at 9-7-2 on the season, with a 2.70 GAA and a 0.920 save percentage. Pretty good numbers for a 41-year-old and now, Anderson has gained yet another spot in Buffalo Sabres, and NHL history.
It’s been a remarkable season of firsts so far for the Sabres, as you might remember Rasmus Dahlin becoming the first defenseman in franchise and NHL history to score a goal in each of the first five games of the season. Now the question bodes: Which Sabre will accomplish the next first?
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
Source: Observations: Craig Anderson shuts down Panthers, Sabres grab a playoff position with 25 games to go by Mike Harrington, BuffaloNews.com
Want your voice heard? Join the Sabre Noise team!