Rookie performances highlighted Buffalo Sabres win over Vegas
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres won a game against yet another elite opponent last night, and two rookies came to play in Devon Levi and Zach Benson.
It’s clear that Devon Levi is now on a roll, having enjoyed yet another epic performance against one of the NHL’s toughest teams. Last night, Levi saved 33 of 35 shots on goal for a 0.943 save percentage, and he once again made plenty of saves he otherwise would have likely allowed earlier in the year.
In one instance toward the end of the second period, Levi denied Jack Eichel with a “windmill glove”, as the former Sabre had a good look from the circle. He also made an epic pad save on a breakaway from William Karlsson midway through that same period.
Levi earned his third win in four contests, and he is 3-0-1 in that span. Over the last four games, he’s allowed two or fewer goals in each and has posted a 0.913 save percentage or better. Since December 7th, he’s attained a GAA of 1.71, a save percentage of 0.942, and 114 overall saves on 121 shots on goal.
Buffalo Sabres rookies helped power the Blue and Gold to a big win
As this article’s title implies, Devon Levi wasn’t the only rookie to enjoy an outstanding game, as Zach Benson logged two points for the third time this season. We often saw Benson positioning himself well in front of the net, and when it wasn’t open, the tenacious 18-year-old forced his way toward the crease.
His efforts paid off at the 9:29 mark of the third period when a shot bounced off a Vegas player’s skate, only for Alex Tuch to find the rookie near the crease. Benson performed some quick trickery and drilled the puck past goaltender Logan Thompson to help the Buffalo Sabres retake a lead they would not relinquish.
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It was Benson’s second goal in as many games, and he also recorded an assist on Alex Tuch’s goal that nullified any potential chance for a comeback. Overall, Benson now has 10 points in 21 games, and he may just be getting hot at the right time of this up and down season for the Blue and Gold.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference and Quant Hockey)