Sabres’ fans were no doubt surprised, or even shocked by the Blue and Gold’s recent 7-2 rout over the Bruins at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka both scored a hat trick, something that almost never happens in an NHL game, let alone a Sabres’ matchup.
Boston is one of those franchises that’s long gotten under Buffalo’s skin, and stood in the way of any Sabres’ postseason chance year after year. The Bruins have had the better record against the Blue in Gold since 1970, with a 30-victory cushion. Buffalo’s home ice win against the thugs in black and yellow was the first time the Sabres defeated the Bruins in Buffalo since Apr. 23, 2021.
Buffalo let in an early goal, when Mason Lohrei beat UPL with a slap shot more than halfway through the first period. However, the Sabres quickly responded, as Tage Thompson tied it up less than a minute later. Buffalo matched Boston goal for goal during the contest, answering back more than once when the Bruins found the back of the Sabres’ net.
Showing opponents you can score just as well as they can is important psychologically and something the Sabres displayed in this win. The Blue and Gold let one goal against them turn into two and then snowball into a disaster. TNT said as much, pointing out that, “right after a team scores, that’s the most important shift of the game. That can dictate the outcome of the game. We’ve been on the other side of it where they score and they turn it into another one and it deflates you. So we know how important those shifts are.”
Even Brad Marchand, a player Sabres’ fans love to loathe with good reason, complimented Buffalo’s effort, saying “They’re a better team than what their record shows. We can’t take that team lightly, they’re extremely skilled and some of the most talented players in the League.’
The Sabres need to keep up the level of discipline, work ethic, and teamwork they demonstrated against the Bruins over the next few months. If they do, they may still salvage their season.