Buffalo Sabres fans once again packed the KeyBank Center on Thursday night and they watched a Colten Ellis masterclass, as the team's No. 3 goalie delivered a 37-save shutout to help the club move one step closer to an Atlantic Division title.
Josh Doan, who scored twice in the third period as the Sabres pulled away for a 5-0 win, said the sellout crowds are giving the players added motivation as the playoffs approach.
"At the end of the day, I just put my head down and work for them," Doan told reporters about the fans. "They're the ones showing up right now for us, and we've got to show up on the ice for them."
It was clear from the moment Doan arrived to Buffalo in the blockbuster JJ Peterka trade last June that he was going to fit in perfectly within the Western New York culture. He's a hardworking, team-first player who's willing to fill any role to help the team win.
The fact he's enjoyed a breakout offensive season is merely a nice bonus. The 24-year-old Arizona State product has recorded 51 points (25 goals and 26 assists) in 80 appearances, which helped him earn a seven-year, $48.7 million contract extension in January. He posted 19 points in 51 games for the Utah Mammoth last season.
Now Doan and the Sabres control their destiny in the Atlantic Division race because they own the tiebreaker on the Montreal Canadiens, who moved into second place ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning with a head-to-head regulation win on Thursday.
Opening the first round at home would provide a massive boost for Buffalo, not only because it's been terrific at the KeyBank Center this season (26-10-4) but due to the fact the fans are going to create an incredible atmosphere as the organization's 14-year playoff drought finally ends.
The love shared between Doan, his teammates and the fans is evident, and it may just help carry the Blue and Gold on a deep postseason run in the coming months.
For now, let's dive into a fresh edition of our Sabres player grades series after they held off a strong push from a desperate Columbus squad.
Colten Ellis steals the show as Buffalo Sabres score a key April 9 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets
Sabres player grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Colten Ellis | 10 |
Josh Doan | 9.5 |
Josh Norris | 9 |
Zach Benson | 8.5 |
Rasmus Dahlin | 8 |
Logan Stanley | 7.5 |
Peyton Krebs | 7 |
Jack Quinn | 7 |
Owen Power | 6.5 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 6 |
Bowen Byram | 5.5 |
Beck Malenstyn | 5 |
Jason Zucker | 5 |
Tyson Kozak | 4.5 |
Zach Metsa | 4 |
Tage Thompson | 3.5 |
Ryan McLeod | 3.5 |
Alex Tuch | 3 |
Jordan Greenway | 2.5 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Colten Ellis
Ellis replaced Alex Lyon in a 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, but his shutout against the Blue Jackets marked his first start since Feb. 2 against the Lightning. He deserves a ton of credit for keeping himself ready despite falling out of the goalie rotation for a few months.
The 25-year-old goaltender, who was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Blues in October, isn't always for the faint of heart because he plays a high-risk, chaotic style in the crease but, on nights like Thursday where it all comes together perfectly, he can steal a game for you.
Ellis may now be ticketed for a key role in the playoffs, too. Alex Lyon, who's shared the net with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for most of the campaign, is dealing with a lower-body injury and might not be available when the postseason starts, which would thrust the former Blues prospect into the backup role.
He showed against Columbus that he's capable of stepping up at a moment's notice, which helps relieve some of the tension for Buffalo's coaching staff.
Sabres quick hits
- Zach Benson must skate in the top nine during the playoffs. He's too talented as a playmaker to spend his time on the fourth line, which was often the case before an injury to Noah Ostlund.
- Logan Stanley continues to look more comfortable in the Sabres' system and is likely close to locking down a spot in the postseason lineup. Who deserves the spot next to him on the third pair is less of a certainty with two games remaining, though.
- The Sabres clinching the Atlantic Division by Monday, which could allow Tage Thompson to have a couple extra days off before the playoffs, is the best-case scenario. He's looked a bit off during a stretch that included skipping a morning skate for "maintenance."
- Alex Tuch didn't make much of an impact against Columbus, but his skating looks much better over the past few games, a sign he's closer to full strength after a lingering injury.
- Buffalo's power play was fruitless once again on Thursday, failing to convert on either opportunity with the man advantage. The team is now 0-for-17 of the PP over the past five games. It's an area that must improve if the team wants to make a postseason run.
- The Sabres (49-23-8) are off until Monday night (8:30 p.m. ET) when they'll visit the United Center for a clash with the Chicago Blackhawks (28-37-14).