The Buffalo Sabres entered this game against the Chicago Blackhawks at arguably their lowest point of the season. After an impressive win over the Edmonton Oilers, the Sabres were outplayed by the Calgary Flames and lost 6-2.
Expectations weren't high for the game Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, but the Sabres well-surpassed them and even accomplished something they haven't done in over a decade. In the second period, the Sabres would score two goals only eight seconds apart, which is the quickest since they scored two goals six seconds apart in a game against the New York Rangers.
On Friday night, the Sabres got off to a fast start as they would score the first three goals of the game, all in the first period. The Blackhawks responded before the end of the period with a goal of their own to cut into the lead.
However, it wouldn't take long for the Sabres to really put the game out of reach as Ryan McLeod would score 5:42 into the second period off a nice pass by Jason Zucker. The Sabres wasted no time building the lead, though, as they would win the faceoff after the McLeod goal and Isak Rosen would find Mattias Samuelsson, who was able to beat Arvid Soderblom for the Sabres' fifth goal of the game.
In 2013, it was Cody Hodgson and Nathan Gerbe who scored the two goals for the Sabres against the Rangers in six seconds. Amazingly, these two also accomplished this in the second period of that game but the Sabres were already down 6-0 and lost 8-4.
Mattias Samuelsson has found a shot and the Buffalo Sabres couldn't be happier
There have been plenty of surprises this season for the Buffalo Sabres, but there may not be a bigger one than Mattias Samuelsson finding his shot. Prior to this season, Samuelsson had seven career goals in 212 games.
However, on Friday against the Blackhawks he scored his fifth goal of this season and now has three goals in the past four games. The Sabres have needed this from Samuelsson as the blueline hasn't been as productive in scoring this season as the other defensemen have combined for only seven goals.
Mattias Samuelsson entered this season with plenty of criticisms but he has responded in a big way. As the Sabres have had to deal with injuries and absences, Samuelsson has been a steady presence that has helped keep this group afloat.
It remains to be seen if Samuelsson can continue this pace of scoring but if he can, it would be a huge boost for the team.