After starting the season 1-4-1, Buffalo has turned it around thus far this season. They have won 10 games since the start including three games in overtime or through a shootout. The Sabres play in the extended session may show that Lindy Ruff is doing the right thing.
Their first win in the extended period came on November 9th courtesy of JJ Peterka who scored the lone shootout goal beating the Flames 3-2. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was unstoppable, making three saves in overtime alone. The starting goalie also stopped all three shootout goals.
Peterka scored off the left end of goal. Luukkonen's performance was not lost on his teammates as well. Tage Thompson told reporters of Luukkonen's game, “Obviously, he had a great game, keeps us in it."
The Sabres second overtime win came courtesy of an overtime goal from captain Rasmus Dahlin against the Blues
The goal in the final period came off a power play. It was smart play at the end of the third period which led to the opportunity. It was a delayed penalty after Blues player Justin Faulk hit goalie Devon Levi.
The Sabres kept possession of the puck with the final minute of the third period allowing the power play to start as overtime began. The final was 4-3. “It was not pretty today, but we found a way. That’s what good teams do. I think it was a really mature game by us. So, I’m really happy about the effort by everybody, Dahlin said after the game.
Their third overtime victory this month, came during their California swing, defeating the Anaheim Ducks this past Friday 3-2 in extra time.
Leading forward, Alex Tuch hit Jiri Kulich with 1:00 left in the overtime period to secure the victory. The Sabres had been keeping the pressure up during overtime, taking four shots on goal. The Ducks only had two shots but neither were wide of the goal.
The key to the Sabres this season will be gaining points any time they can. They lost a lot of one-goal games a season ago which cost them a chance to stay in the playoff race. They also will need to gain an extra point when they can and continuing to perform well in overtime will be a step in the right direction.
Lindy Ruff seems to be getting the most out of his players. They have three games remaining this month.