The Buffalo Sabres returned home after a five-game road trip to face the Los Angeles Kings and try to keep their momentum rolling. They were able to do just that as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Western Conference foe.
There were plenty of headlines from this game as Alex Lyon set a franchise record and Alex Tuch had a hat trick. The Sabres now have had players in back-to-back games have hat tricks after Rasmus Dahlin had a hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Jack Quinn with two assists against the LA Kings; 11 points in the last 11 games
The Buffalo Sabres were able to jump out to an early 2-0 lead against the Los Angeles Kings after Alex Tuch opened the scoring with a power play goal. Then, about four minutes later, Mattias Samuelsson took a shot from the blue line that was able to just get past Darcy Kuemper under his glove.
On both goals, Jack Quinn would have the secondary assist as he continues to play some of the best hockey of his NHL career. He entered this game with a three-game point streak, which was extended to four, but has been really good longer than that as he has five goals and six assists over the past 11 games.
Quinn, the former first-round pick, is in his fourth season as a full-time player for the Buffalo Sabres. It felt like entering this season, it was his final chance to show he can make an impact, and he certainly has taken advantage of the opportunity as of late.
Alex Tuch proving to be too valuable to trade
The Buffalo Sabres have a season-defining decision to make over the next few weeks in terms of what they do with Alex Tuch. He is in the final year of his deal, and the question is whether or not they can reach a new deal before the NHL Trade Deadline.
The thought process would be that if they can't reach an extension, then the Sabres might look to trade him to ensure they get something in return instead of having him just walk in free agency.
However, Tuch's recent play would make it almost impossible to trade him because of what he means to this team. On Thursday against the Kings, Tuch had a hat trick and now has at least one point in 11 of the past 13 games with five goals in the past three games.
As long as the Sabres keep winning, the last thing that Jarmo Kekalainen would want to do is disrupt that chemistry or momentum. It might end up costing them a return if Tuch leaves in free agency, but he is proving to be too valuable to what they are doing.
Alex Lyon secures a franchise record with his 10th straight win
Alex Lyon was back in net for the Buffalo Sabres for this game and was trying to build off one of his best starts of the season, when he secured the shutout against the New York Islanders over the weekend. While he didn't get the shutout against the Kings, he was very busy as he stopped 37 of 38 shots and collected his 10th straight victory, which is a Buffalo Sabres' record.
The record has stood for almost 50 years, as Gerry Desjardins set it back during the 1976-77 season when he had nine straight wins.
Alex Lyon is a huge reason for the Sabres' success this season, as he has been asked to step in as the starter at different points this season. Each time he has had to take on a bigger role, he has delivered like he did against Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, he should be the starter at least until the Olympic break, with the injury Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen suffered against the Maple Leafs in the last game. The Sabres have four games left before the break with only one back-to-back, which means he could start three of the final four.
The Buffalo Sabres will be looking to extend their win streak on Saturday night when the Montreal Canadiens come to town for a 7 PM game.