The Buffalo Sabres ended one of the longest win streaks in the NHL on Wednesday night when they beat the Detroit Red Wings at home by a final score of 4-2. It was an impressive team performance and it was something they desperately needed, as they had a goalie making his first career NHL debut
These are some of the takeaways from the game for the Buffalo Sabres as they now turn their focus to the Toronto Maple Leafs, with games on Friday and Saturday.
Buffalo Sabres finally get off to a fast start
One of the biggest issues for the Buffalo Sabres this season, evident in both their wins and losses, has been their slow start in the first period. While the Sabres didn't have any goals in the first period against the Red Wings, they clearly came into this game with more compete.
In the first period, the Sabres outshot the Red Wings 11-5 and had 15 scoring chances to the Red Wings' 4, according to Natural Stat Trick. This really did a good job setting the tone right from the start and was able to carry that through all three periods.
Colten Ellis not asked to save alot but made big saves
The Buffalo Sabres claimed Colten Ellis off waivers at the beginning of the season and with how Alex Lyon began the season, he had to wait to take the ice. He would do so on Wednesday against the Red Wings in what was not only his first game for the Buffalo Sabres but his first career NHL game.
It took some time for Ellis to even have to do anything, as the Sabres were on the power play for almost the entire first four minutes of the game. They were able to control the action, and it wouldn't be until about 10 minutes in that he made his first career save.
He finished the game saving 27 of 29 shots, and the defense did a great job limiting the Red Wings' chances. However, there were a few instances where the defense broke down and Ellis made a few saves with the Red Wings on breakaways.
He made big plays in key spots in the game that helped keep it within reach and eventually allow the Sabres to take the lead and hold it.
Bottom six deliver for the Buffalo Sabres
While players like Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch struggle to find the net, the Buffalo Sabres are getting some great production from their third and fourth lines. The Sabres would score four goals, with three of them coming from those bottom two lines, with goals by Tyson Kozak, Jack Quinn, and Jason Zucker.
The other goal would be scored by Josh Doan, who continues to have a breakout season with the Buffalo Sabres.
If the Sabres want to have sustained success and win on a nightly basis, they are going to need more from their stars. However, it is great to see production from players like Kozak, who now has goals in back-to-back games, and Quinn, who had three points against the Red Wings with one goal and two assists.