This week was going to be a crucial one for the Buffalo Sabres. Coming into Week 22, the Sabres were seven points out of a playoff spot. Tonight was going to be the first of two games between Buffalo and the Detroit Red Wings this week.
It's a vital week for the Sabres as they could make up ground for the postseason and Detroit was the team holding the final wild-card spot. Just over a minute into the game, Alex Tuch gave Buffalo a 1-0 lead. After the Sabres had a goal wiped away because of an offsides call, Bowen Byram made it 2-0 after a great feed from Jordan Greenway.
37 seconds after the Red Wings made it 2-1, Zach Benson gave Buffalo their two-goal lead back again. Jeff Skinner made it 4-1 and there was no more scoring after the first 20 minutes of play. It was complete domination for the Sabres as they came ready to play.
Connor Clifton joined the scoring for Buffalo to make it 5-1 before Byram scored his second of the game as the Sabres had a 6-1 lead. Buffalo took a penalty, giving the Red Wings a power play chance. 24 seconds after Byram's goal, Detroit cut the Sabres lead to four. However, JJ Peterka made it 7-2 Buffalo with a filthy wrist shot.
The Red Wings scored their third goal of the game but it was in garbage time and the Sabres got the two points in a 7-3 victory.
Postgame thoughts
From the moment the puck dropped, Buffalo dominated and dictated the game. After the Red Wings scored, aside from the third goal, Buffalo responded with a goal of their own. Byram, Greenway and Tage Thompson had two points while Benson had a three-point night. With the victory, Buffalo is five points out of a playoff spot.
Before seeing Detroit Saturday afternoon, the Sabres will be back in action on Thursday night as they will host the New York Islanders.