In the past, these extended road trips like the one that the Buffalo Sabres are on used to be season-enders for them. However, the Sabres are proving teams won't like them coming to their house as they have now won three straight on the road after a 3-0 win over the New York Islanders. They will look to make it four on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the final game of this five-game road trip.
It was somewhat of a slow start for Buffalo in this one as the two teams were scoreless through the first 20 minutes. However, the Sabres broke the scoreless tie early in that middle period with Jason Zucker finding the back of the net.
They didn't stop there and would score another before the end of the second period, then built on that lead with three more in the third period. The Sabres are now 18-2-1 with a big game against the divisional rival Toronto on Tuesday.
Buffalo Sabres don't score in the first period for the first time since December 31st
For the better part of a month, the Buffalo Sabres have had no problem scoring early, but saw an 11-game streak come to an end against the New York Islanders as neither team scored in the opening period.
The Sabres' ability to get off to a fast start has been a big reason for their success, especially as of late, and in the past two games have out-scored their opponents by a combined score of 5-0. It didn't take long into the second period for the Sabres to get the lead, though, as Jason Zucker scored 33 seconds into the second period.
While the Sabres didn't get the lead until the second, they did a good job of not getting rattled, and once they got the lead kept the momentum, which they haven't done well recently. They have been able to build big leads but have seen the other team come back.
That didn't happen here as the Sabres added a goal in the closing minute of the second period and then scored three goals in the third period.
Alex Lyon with arguably his best game of the season for the Buffalo Sabres
For most of the season, Alex Lyon has been the Buffalo Sabres' best goaltender, and he showed that once again in the game against the Islanders. He would finish the game, stopping all 26 shots he faced to secure his second shutout of the season, with his other shutout being all the way back on October 18th against the Florida Panthers.
Lyon did an incredible job keeping the Sabres in this game as they struggled to find the net through the first two periods until Tage Thompson gave them the two-goal lead late in the second period. Earlier in that period, Lyon made some huge saves when he stopped three short-handed goals with the Sabres on the power play, holding only a one-goal lead.
The Sabres are still trying their best to manage the three-goal rotation, but Lyon has now put together two solid performances since returning from injury. He has now won nine straight and should be the starter moving forward.
Buffalo Sabres depth on display once again with Jason Zucker's line leading the way
The Buffalo Sabres continue to show that their depth is tough for opposing teams to match, and teams aren't sure which one is going to be the difference-maker. For example, in the game against the Nashville Predators, it was the Kid Line, but today it was more of a veteran line led by Jason Zucker.
The line of Zucker, Ryan McLeod, and Jack Quinn combined for two goals, with Zucker scoring and Ryan McLeod delivering the primary assist. This line also led the Sabres in high-danger chances with four, according to Natural Stat Trick.
As good as these lines have been playing lately, Lindy Ruff could have a problem in the near future with injured players like Josh Norris close to returning. It will also be interesting to see what Jarmo Kekalainen does before the deadline because the chemistry on the ice with these lines is undeniable.