The Buffalo Sabres are continuing to battle on a West Coast swing this week. They are currently at 28 points and last place in the Eastern Conference. They still have time and if they want to move ahead in the standings, they will need any point they can get.
That includes gaining a point when they can push on the ice to at least a tie at the end of regulation. Sometimes gaining a point as opposed to losing by one goal can be the difference in a wild-card spot in March and April.
The Sabres have 4 wins and 4 losses in overtime thus far this season
Buffalo has had a mixed bag when the game ends in a tie in regulation. But that still means they've gotten points, which is what they most need.
It demonstrates that they are still fighting to try and make the postseason. They just need it be more consistent in getting there. In the early parts of the season, they played five straight games in overtime or ended in a shootout.
They were 1-0-4 during that time period. If they wish to move ahead in the standings, they may want to set another goal, which is win those games.
They have won three straight since when the game reaches overtime. Two of those victories came when young goalie Colten Ellis was between the pipes. It demonstrates that the Sabres may be looking at youth movement as the season nears the halfway point.
In the midst of the West Coast swing they are currently on, an overtime victory came and not a moment too soon. It showed that they still have the ability to find the back of the net when needed most.
On Tuesday night, at Edmonton they were up 3-0 entering the third period. They saw their led slip away and found themselves tied at the end of the third.
33 seconds into overtime, Alex Tuch was able to secure a much-needed overtime victory for Buffalo on Tuesday
Six points as opposed to three in the last few matchups in overtime may be the difference for the Sabres as they look to finally breakthrough in the playoffs.
But they will need to find ways to continue to both get a point and then secured the second one as the season goes on. Relying on clutch play from players like Tuch or Ellis may a step in doing that.