The Buffalo Sabres seemed to be on their way to another ugly loss on Saturday night as the Detroit Red Wings jumped out to a 4-1 lead after scoring three goals in about five minutes in the middle of the second period. It was the last thing a team needed that was trying to end a five-game losing streak, especially since they were playing a team they had beaten earlier in the season.
However, what seemed like the lowest point of the season was something the Sabres appeared to rally behind. They recognized they were better than the way they were playing and would score four straight to win 5-4 in overtime.
The offensive output was driven by the Sabres' top players, as Tage Thompson (one goal, one assist) and Rasmus Dahlin (two assists) who were playing on a different level that fans haven't seen much of this season. These two certainly got their fair share of recognition, and it is well deserved, but Colten Ellis was one of those under-the-radar players who was a driving force behind the comeback.
Colten Ellis rewards the Buffalo Sabres coaching staff confidence with a great finish
The Buffalo Sabres showed they are not afraid to make a goalie change at any point in the game as earlier in the week, they pulled Alex Lyon only six minutes into the game against the Colorado Avalanche after he gave up two goals. They certainly had every reason to pull Ellis after he gave up that fourth goal, as it didn't seem like it was just his night.
Instead of making the change, the Sabres decided to stick with Ellis in what was only his third career NHL start. He responded well, and while the Sabres' defense was much better and he faced only eight shots in the third, he made some big-time saves that allowed them to make the comeback. Ellis even helped his own cause with an assist in the third period on Tage Thompson's goal.
These types of games can go a long way in a young player's development. The Sabres let him work through adversity and he came out the other side a better goalie.
It will be interesting to see how long the Buffalo Sabres continue with this three-goalie rotation, but Colten Ellis has made a strong case to be one of the goalies remaining on the roster. On the season, Ellis is 2-1 with a goals against average of 3.36 and a save percentage of .895. However, he has a Goals Saved Above Average of only -0.32, according to Natural Stat Trick, which is almost two goals better than Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
In the end it is only one game but these are the types of moments in a season that can energize a team to go on a run. The Buffalo Sabres desperately need that after the way they started the season and if this is the start of a win-streak, Colten Ellis deserves a great deal of credit.