Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres not only beat the Detroit Red Wings in regulation on Tuesday night, they won their fourth game in five tries on home ice.
It was a complete game that saw the whole team compete and play fast.
In 2024, the Sabres are 14th in the NHL with a record of 16-11-1, and a points percentage of .589. Defensively, they’re still fourth with a goals-against average of 2.36.
This has Buffalo now ahead of the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils in the race for the Eastern Conference's final Wild Card spot.
The New York Islanders currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with 72 points. Buffalo is now five points back of both New York and Detroit. They’re two points behind the Washington Capitals.
Alex Tuch set the pace on Tuesday, flipping a puck in the neutral zone past Red Wings defenseman Ben Chiarot and blowing by him for a breakaway goal. All that was just 1:07 into the game.
Tyson Jost scored just a few minutes later, but Detroit challenged the goal for a missed offside, and Buffalo's goal was waived off.
The Sabres then hit two posts, but the dominance and perseverance paid off.
Bo Byram had a Zach Benson rebound come all the way out to him at the top of the left circle, and he put it back at the net as soon as it hit his stick.
Chiarot scored to make it 2-1, but the Sabres didn't change a thing.
Just 23 seconds later, Buffalo got in heavy on a forecheck, and Jordan Greenway found Benson with a cross-ice pass and the Sabres had their two goal lead back.
The Sabres got it up to 6-1 in the second period, and then eventually 7-2.
Detroit lost its sixth-straight game, and had absolutely no energy after returning from Vegas.
Starting goalie Alex Lyon only lasted 15:29, and gave up four goals on 13 shots. James Reimer played 44:31, and allowed three goals on 26 shots.
Buffalo did get some gifts from both goalies.
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Many fans are wondering where this has been all season, instead of just the 28 games of 2024.
Sabres head coach Don Granato has been holding players to a higher standard lately by taking away ice-time and placing them on the bench. It’s something I think this team could’ve used a lot sooner.
Buffalo is now 31-30-5 this season, which is good for 67 points in 66 games in the standings. Last season on March 12, the Sabres were 32-28-5 for 69 points in 65 games.
The Capitals are in Edmonton on Wednesday to play the Oilers. They will be the only team in the Eastern Conference playing.
Then on Thursday, the Islanders will be in Buffalo to take on the Sabres. Back in October, the Sabres lost in Long Island, 3-2, and won in Buffalo, 3-1.
