The Buffalo Sabres headed out West for three games with the first in San Jose against the Sharks. The Sabres were trying to put the start of the season behind them and their latest game, an overtime loss to the Washington Capitals where former teammate Alex Tuch scored the game-winner.
They would achieve what they wanted to in at least the first game with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night. It was a slow start for both teams as neither was able to score in the first period.
However, in the second, Olen Zellweger would break the tie with a great shot after a beautiful pass by Konsta Helenius. It remained a low-scoring game as both goalies played exceptionally well but the Sabres were able to add one more in the third period to take a 2-0 lead and secure the win.
These are a few takeaways from the Sabres' win on Tuesday night.
Colten Ellis with the Sabres first shutout of the season
It is no secret that the Buffalo Sabres just haven't gotten great goaltending to begin the season. However, that changed on Tuesday night as Colten Ellis had the best game of the season for a Sabres' goalie and arguably one of the best of his career.
Ellis would record his second-career shutout, and the first for the Sabres this season, stopping all 23 shots he faced. According to Natural Stat Trick, with the shots Ellis faced, he had an expected goals against average of 2.62.
After the game, head coach Lindy Ruff was asked to categorize Ellis' performance against the Sharks. "Put it in the excellent category," Ruff said. "I thought we mishandled a puck early, about a minute and half into the game, and I thought he made a great save there."
It will certainly be interesting to see who gets the start on Thursday and if the Sabres elect to stay with the hot hand after Colten Ellis' performance.
Buffalo Sabres did a great job blocking shots against the Sharks
One area that the Sabres had a clear advantage over the Sharks was in blocked shots and it was probably one of the reasons for Ellis to have the game he did. The Sabres finished the game with 20 shots blocked, compared to only 12 by the Sharks, and they finished the game with four players who had three or more in the game (Beck Malenstyn, Josh Norris, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson).
Entering this game, the Sabres were near the bottom of the league in blocked shots, with only 126 through 11 games, with an average of about 11 per game. If the Sabres get closer to this 20 mark every game, it will certainly help whoever is in net for them.
Buffalo Sabres carry a lead into the third period for the first time this season
The Buffalo Sabres have been able to get wins due in large part to third-period heroics, but one of the reasons they have needed to make those comebacks is that they weren't able to get the lead in the first two period. That changed on Tuesday, as the Sabres, for the first time this season, had the lead going into the third period.
Last season, when the Sabres had the lead going into the third period, it felt like they were almost guaranteed the win and had a record of 35-2-0. If the Sabres can play better in the first two periods and maintain the way they have played in the third period this season, they have a great chance to get back on track.
Zach Benson with his first goal of the season (in a perfect Zach Benson way)
Ahead of the Sharks' game, the Buffalo Sabres elected to shuffle their lines and, surprisingly, break up the only line that was producing in Zach Benson-Noah Ostlund-Jack Quinn. While Benson was second on the team in assists with seven, he was still looking for that first goal of the season.
The Sabres' forward got that on Tuesday night and would score the empty-net goal to really put any chance of a comeback by the Sharks out of reach. While it was an empty-net goal, it was anything but easy for Benson and showed just why he is so important to this team.
On the goal, Benson was able to steal the puck from the Sharks' player on a forecheck along the boards, chase it down, and put it in the net. It was a great hustle play, and Benson was rewarded for the effort with the goal.
Benny put in WORK to seal it. 😤#LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/ypVKpMYYyV
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 28, 2026
The Buffalo Sabres will have a little break before getting back on the ice on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks in their third game in this four-game road trip.
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