The Buffalo Sabres find a way to win again and have now won their seventh straight game, this time a 3-2 overtime thriller over the Ottawa Senators. This streak has been impressive and gotten them right back into playoff contention.
The way they are winning is what stands out and why this streak is remarkable, as they have won three games that have gone to overtime, two in the extra period and one in a shootout. On top of that, five of their seven wins have come on the road.
These are three quick takeaways from the Sabres win on Tuesday night over the Ottawa Senators.
Bowen Byram making plays in the offensive zone
It has been an up-and-down season for Bo Byram in the first of his two-year contract extension he signed this summer. He currently leads the teams in goals scored against and high-danger chances against on ice with 34 goals against and 130 high-danger chances against.
On Tuesday against the Senators though, Byram was making plenty of plays in the offensive zone as he would score the first goal of the game and register an assist on Noah Ostlund's goal that went in off a deflection. In addition to the first goal of the game, Byram had the final goal as he would score the game-winner in overtime.
Hopefully this is the type of game that can give him some confidence moving forward and contribute more.
Buffalo Sabres struggle to hold the lead
The Buffalo Sabres would take the lead twice in regulation, but each time the Senators would be able to come back and score. It wasn't even the fact that they would tie it up, but rather how quickly they would as both instances, they scored within three minutes of the Sabres' goal.
In the first period, Ridly Greig would tie the game at one less than two minutes after Byram's goal. Then in the second period, Tim Stutzle would score on the power play a little over three minutes after Ostlund's goal.
Earlier in the season, it seemed like every time the Sabres had some success they would be too relaxed and get beaten in games they should have won. Fortunately, the Sabres have been able to continue to rack up wins, but these moments seem to still pop up at times.
It is certainly something they are going to have to work on and make sure that when they get a lead they are building on it.
Sabres with another penalty late in the third period
Another game in this win streak where it is the Sabres' penalty kill that keeps them in the game late in the third period. On Saturday against the New York Islanders, Michael Kesselring was called for a power play that gave them a 6-on-4 advantage after pulling David Rittich in the closing minutes.
In the game against the Senators, it would be Alex Tuch who would be called for hooking inside the final two minutes. The penalty was certainly questionable after looking at the replay, but it didn't matter as the refs made the call.
The good news is that the Sabres were able to kill the penalty through the rest of regulation and into overtime. Shortly after that penalty expired, Byram would get the game-winner for the Sabres.
While it hasn't cost them any wins yet, this is something that the Sabres need to correct sooner rather than later.