The Buffalo Sabres entered the game Monday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning with plenty of questions as they entered with a 2-3-2 record over their previous seven games. The expectaitons for this game was sky-high after the incredible 8-7 game last month between these two teams.
While it didn't have the same excitement, it ended with the same result as the Sabres would win 4-2 over the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was a hard-fought game between two good teams that weren't willing to give up much.
The Sabres would open the scoring with Alex Tuch scoring a little over five minutes into the game. However, the Lightning would tie it up on the power play before the Sabres responded with a goal by Josh Norris to have the 2-1 lead after the first period.
Once again the Lightning would tie it up early in the second period but the Sabres once again found a way to get the lead back with Jason Zucker scoring to take a 3-2 lead into the final period. It was a low chance period between the two teams in the third period before Jack Quinn scored the empty-netter to give them the 4-2 win.
The Sabres are now tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning a top the division with 102 points and have put themselves in great position to remain in contention to win the Atlantic Division.
These are some of the top takeaways from the game against the Lightning.
Sabres' first goal perfect example of what has been missing from this team lately
The Buffalo Sabres opened the scoring with Alex Tuch scoring in the first period as he was coming out of the penalty box. It was a big goal for the Sabres, who got the lead, but also for Alex Tuch, who scored his 30th goal of the season and snapped a six-game goal drought.
However, what happened before the goal was a perfect example of what has been missing during this recent Sabres' slump. It started with Zach Benson clearing a rebound in front of the net and the Sabres getting the puck out quickly to create an odd-man rush the other way.
They would miss the shot on that rush, but were able to get control of the puck and find Alex Tuch as he was coming out of the box. It was the type of intensity and hustle play that has been lacking as of late and helped set the tone for this game.
Buffalo Sabres continue to make the wrong decision with the third pair
After the game against the Washington Capitals, it was clear that the coaching staff needed to make a change to their third pair on defense. It felt like a perfect opportunity to get Michael Kesselring back on the ice to see how he might look ahead of the playoffs.
However, the coaching staff continues to make questionable decisions with this pair and decided to go with Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn. The decision seemed to have to do with Lindy Ruff believing Stanley and Schenn would handle the physicality better, especially in front of the net.
The problem is that Stanley and Schenn struggle to get the puck out of their zone, and it cost them in this game. In the second period, Stanley tried to clear it and didn't get enough on it, and Peyton Krebs failed to complete the play. The Lightning were able to keep it in the zone and tied it at two after Jake Guenztel beat Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Hopefully, the Sabres at some point give Kesselring a game to see if he can bring stability to this third pair. Although the way the past few weeks have gone, it seems like fans might have seen the last of Kesselring this season.
Josh Norris ends his scoring slump with first period goal
Alex Tuch wasn't the only Buffalo Sabres player to end their scoring drought as Josh Norris would score for the first time in nine games. The play came in the first period as Josh Doan was able to track down the puck and find Norris right in the slot for his 11th goal of the season.
Norris had an incredible stretch when he returned from his first injury in December but has struggled since returning after the Olympic break from his second injury of the season. The Sabres could use secondary scoring, especially when players like Tage Thompson isn't finding the net, and Norris has the skill to be that player.
Buffalo Sabres penalty kill holds up against the Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning had plenty of chances in this game with the man advantage, and while they did score once, with Nikita Kucherov scoring in the first period, the Sabres' penalty kill held up well, allowing only the one goal on five chances.
This was the most power play opportunities allowed by the Sabres since the Red Wings had six in the game at the end of March. It was a busy night on the penalty kill, in particular for Mattias Samuelsson, who had almost seven minutes of short-handed time in this game, followed by Ryan McLeod with over 4:30.
The Sabres have now allowed only one power-play goal in the last nine opportunities over the past three games.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen delivers a stellar performance against the Lightning
The last time the Sabres played the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed seven goals, but in this game, he wasn't willing to give up much of anything. He finished the game, stopping 23 of 25 shots, including four power-play shots.
This is the latest example of strong run of games that Luukkonen has put together and at this point should be viewed as the unquestionable starter once the playoffs start for the Buffalo Sabres.
The Buffalo Sabres were up to the challenge but they are going to need to continue to win if they hope to win the Atlantic Division. Their next game is Wednesday night on the road against the Rangers before they are back in Buffalo for a game against the Blue Jackets on Thursday.