The Buffalo Sabres were looking to win their third straight on Thursday night after a win against the New York Rangers the night prior. As the regular season quickly comes to an end, every game matters as the Sabres entered the night just two points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning, who were playing each other, for first place in the Atlantic Division.
It was an impressive performance, as the Sabres and Blue Jackets played a tight game, neither team giving up much. Peyton Krebs got the scoring started in the first period, but that would be the only goal through the first 40 minutes of the game.
However, in the third period, the Sabres were able to break open the scoring with four goals, including an empty-net goal by Rasmus Dahlin, to secure the 5-0 victory. The Sabres now have 106 points and will remain in first place, ahead of both the Canadiens and Lightning.
Colten Ellis looks sharp in first start since beginning of February
On Wednesday, Alex Lyon left practice with an injury, and before the Blue Jackets game, head coach Lindy Ruff said the goalie would be out at least a week. This gave Colten Ellis the chance to start against the Blue Jackets, which was his first start since February 2nd.
The rookie goalie responded with an incredible performance and was a big reason the Sabres were able to get the win. While the Sabres got the early lead on Peyton Krebs' goal in the first period, they struggled to generate chances.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets really didn't have a problem getting shots on net, but Ellis refused to give an inch, stopping all 37 shots he faced and securing his first career shutout. In the third period, the Sabres' offense came alive, and they were able to cruise to the win.
Peyton Krebs with sixth point in eight games
The Buffalo Sabres have won their third straight, and surprisingly, Tage Thompson has no goals and only one assist during that stretch. It is hard to imagine the Sabres have been able to have the success they have had while their top forward has been quiet.
The reason why the Sabres have been able to go on this win streak is that they have gotten scoring from elsewhere on the roster. On Thursday night, it was Peyton Krebs who scored the first goal of the game, which is his third goal and sixth point overall in the past eight games.
Krebs has had a career-season playing on the Sabres' top line, with a career-high in goals with 12 and assists with 27.
Josh Doan rewarded for his selfless play against the Rangers with two goals against the Blue Jackets
On Wednesday night against the Rangers, Josh Doan had the puck with an easy empty-net goal late in the game that would have snapped an eight-game scoring drought. However, he decided to pass the puck to Zach Benson, and he was able to get the goal.
That type of selfless play speaks to how tight the locker room is, but also the type of player that Doan is to give his teammate the goal. The Sabres' forward was rewarded for that play on Thursday against the Blue Jackets, as he would end up with two goals to snap that drought and have his first two-goal game since March 8th.
As is the case with Peyton Krebs, Doan is another player who can be a difference maker for this offense once the playoffs come around. It is great to see him starting to heat up at just the right time.
Zach Metsa with a career-high in penalty kill minutes
Zach Metsa returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in the two games prior and once again had a strong game on the third pair next to Logan Stanley. However, there has been one notable area where he is seeing his role expand, which could be a good sign for his spot in the playoffs.
On Thursday against the Blue Jackets, Metsa was second among the defensemen in short-handed minutes with 3:44. That was a career-high on the penalty kill, and he has now had over two minutes in each of the last three games after not surpassing that mark at any point this season.
In addition, the results of the Sabres' penalty kill are undeniable when Metsa is on the ice for them. In the last three games Metsa has played, the Sabres have killed the last seven power play attempts of their opponents. However, in the two games prior to this game against the Blue Jackets (in which Metsa was a healthy scratch), the Sabres have allowed three power play goals on eight attempts.
At this point, it is almost impossible to make the argument that Metsa is not one of the Top 6 defensemen on this roster and shouldn't be on the ice once the playoffs begin.