Sandwiched between a disappointing second period and short but victorious overtime, the third period for the Buffalo Sabres was an important one. It saw Buffalo tie the game against the St. Louis Blues but also showed smart play and a toughness that could be vital for the Sabres moving forward.
The Sabres started the period, down 3-2 after allowing two goals to the Blues. Things were looking bleak until Buffalo turned up the intensity and come up the pressure on St. Louis. “Our second period wasn’t that good, but the answer in the third period was. We started to control play again, we started to skate through the neutral zone, head coach Lindy Ruff told reporters following the game.
The Sabres and their fans thought they had tied the game early midway through the third period off a Dylan Cozens goal, but a controversial interference penalty negated the penalty. The negated goal seemed to fire up Buffalo who were ready for to keep up the pressure.
Before the negated goal, Cozens had a major hit on the Blues' Oskar Sundqvist before taking the shot. Cozens effort seem to be a turning point in the game. The pressure continued to stay on for Buffalo.
Alex Tuch tied the game in the third period with 12 minutes left
Ryan McLeod found Alex Tuch with a perfect pass for the tying goal. Blues goaltender, Jordan Binnington, had his head turned away from Tuch, McLeod saw the slight turn and hit Tuch.
The aggressive play allowed Buffalo to keep the tempo throughout the remainder of the period. During the period, backup goalie Devon Levi made several critical saves which allowed Buffalo to either stay one goal down or behind. Seven on his 24 saves on the evening were made in the third.
As the final minute of the period got underway, Justin Faulk interfered with Levi, which led to a delayed penatly at the start of overtime. What was smart was the Sabres played keep away for the remainder of third period so they could start overtime with a full two-minute power play. It was a poised moment which the young but talented roster needed.
The Sabres had recently blown a third period lead on Monday against Montreal. It seemed they were destined for a repeat and blown lead but were able to find the most of their issues off the intensity.
Rasmus Dahlin may have had the winner in overtime, but the third period was what won the game for Buffalo. It may have saved their season as well.