Buffalo Sabres shine in bounce back win over the Lightning
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres once again were riding a two-game losing streak, and were once again facing the Tampa Bay Lightning following a blowout loss.
Once again, the Buffalo Sabres were losing ground in the Eastern Conference’s wild card race. And once again, they let a division rival embarrass them. Once again, the Blue and Gold seemed to be down and out. And once again, they had the notorious Tampa Bay Lightning staring them down.
Finally, I once again thought we were going to witness yet another blowout loss. But then again, haven’t the Sabres played the Lightning well all season? Even in their losses to the Bolts earlier this season?
After the Lightning opened the scoring on a Brayden Point power play goal, Buffalo once again found themselves forced to play catchup hockey. Then they went out and scored five unanswered goals, and before we knew it, they led Tampa 5-1 in the third period.
Buffalo Sabres offense gets going yet again against Tampa
Puck mismanagement was the headline going into today’s game, as the Sabres looked lost offensively through 40 minutes against Columbus, and practically all game against Boston. Today, Tampa was the one struggling with the puck, and when they finally got going offensively, it was way too little and way too late.
All game, it seemed as though they were giving the Sabres golden opportunities, and Tampa’s 13 giveaways tell us it was indeed the case. But the Blue and Gold was also aggressive in this one, logging 10 takeaways and dominating in the turnover department.
They also came up big on special teams. And while they weren’t perfect shorthanded or on the man advantage, Buffalo scored two power play goals, plus a gritty goal in front of the net when Tyson Jost gave the Sabres one, seconds after their penalty kill.
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Overall, it was a much-needed bounce back win for Buffalo. And now, it’s onto another home game against Connor McDavid and those mighty Edmonton Oilers, before they travel to Long Island for a showdown with the Islanders.
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