The Buffalo Sabres looked like world-beaters as they cruised past the Edmonton Oilers with an impressive 5-1 victory on Monday night. It's the latest result showcasing the Blue and Gold may be the most unpredictable team in the NHL.
"I thought both sides of the puck, probably our best game," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters. "Where, even leading in the third period, we had a lot of really good decisions with the puck and stayed away from any type of high-danger opportunities."
Now if only Buffalo could play at that level every game.
The Sabres started the season on a three-game losing streak. That was followed by a stretch where they won four out of their next five games. Then Buffalo dropped eight of its next nine contests.
Just as the team's season looked destined for complete collapse, however, the Blue and Gold completed a three-goal comeback to defeat the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Add in their domination of the Oilers and it appears the club is back trending in a positive direction.
Ruff's job will be trying to get the Sabres to maintain this far more competitive brand of hockey for an extended period because their margin for error is already thin given the two losing skids.
Let's hop into the newest edition of our Buffalo player grades series, which includes another set of high marks for Tage Thompson and Colten Ellis.
Buffalo Sabres deliver their most complete performance of the season in a Nov. 17 win over the Edmonton Oilers
Sabres player grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Colten Ellis | 9 |
Tage Thompson | 8.5 |
Noah Ostlund | 8.5 |
Alex Tuch | 8 |
Rasmus Dahlin | 8 |
Josh Doan | 7.5 |
Bowen Byram | 7.5 |
Conor Timmins | 7 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 7 |
Jack Quinn | 6.5 |
Isak Rosen | 6.5 |
Ryan McLeod | 6 |
Beck Malenstyn | 6 |
Jordan Greenway | 5.5 |
Tyson Kozak | 5.5 |
Peyton Krebs | 5 |
Josh Dunne | 4.5 |
Owen Power | 4 |
Jacob Bryson | 4 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Colten Ellis
The most important play of the game may have come just five seconds in. The Oilers won the opening faceoff and instantly created an good look for Zach Hyman. If his shot goes in, it changes the entire complexity of the contest, but Ellis was up to the immediate task.
It set the tone for a terrific performance from the former St. Louis Blues prospect, who stopped 32 of Edmonton's 33 shots (.970 save percentage). His record improved to 3-1-0 in his first four NHL starts and his .914 SV% is tops among Sabres goalies.
Since Buffalo is currently carrying three goaltenders, with Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen being the others, Ruff has little option beyond riding the hot hand. Right now that's Ellis, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him draw another start Wednesday against the Calgary Flames.
Eventually, Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams will likely have to make a move to create a roster spot instead of a trio of netminders, but so far it hasn't significant hampered the play the team has received between the pipes.
Sabres quick hits
- That's three straight standout performances from Tage Thompson, which is exactly what the doctor ordered for Buffalo.
- Noah Ostlund scored twice and deserves a chance to remain in the NHL, even when some injury reinforcements rejoin the Sabres lineup.
- Bowen Byram has been far more effective offensively over the past handful of games after a sluggish start to the campaign.
- Isak Rosen may be undersized, but he doesn't let that stop him from getting to the most dangerous areas of the attacking zone.
- Most of the Sabres' top players have awoken from their early-season slumbers, but Owen Power remains the outlier. He must start driving play at a higher rate.
- Buffalo will look to keep the good vibes rolling when Calgary visits the KeyBank Center on Wednesday night (7:30 p.m. ET).