Buffalo, NY (WGR 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres stretched their winning streak to five straight games thanks to their 3-2 shootout victory over the New York Islanders. Jack Quinn and Josh Norris netted the two shootout goals on David Rittich to win it. Only Mathew Barzal was able to solve Alex Lyon in five attempts.
Lyon made a huge save in overtime on a Barzal breakaway.
The Sabres played their third straight good third period protecting a one goal lead until Michael Kesselring took a silly slashing penalty with 1:27 left in regulation giving the Islanders a 6-on-4 power play. A puck bounced out to Emil Heineman and he converted on his 10th shot of the game at 19:31 to send it to overtime. That penalty prevented the Sabres from taking two points and sending an Eastern Conference opponent home with nothing.
To give you an example of how well the Sabres were protecting the lead, at the 12:58 mark of the third period, they were outshooting New York 7-1.
The Sabres got off to a fast start when Rasmus Dahlin went coast to coast scoring a vintage Gil Perreault goal. When they got another power play, Dahlin put a puck right in Josh Norris’ wheelhouse and he ripped a one-timer home to give the Sabres what they thought was a 2-0 lead. The goal was immediately waived off because Zach Benson was where he was supposed to be in front screening the goalie, but he did make contact. By rule the play was goaltender interference, but I’d like to see the rule tweaked. Rittich was set and ready by the time Norris shot the puck and I think if that’s the case, it should no longer be goaltender interference.
In the second period Tage Thompson did give his team a two-goal lead when he tucked the puck around Rittich for goals in six consecutive games. In history the only other Sabres to do that are Miro Satan twice, Danny Gare and Rene Robert.
Late in the second Peyton Krebs committed one of the team’s few turnovers and Barzal converted his own rebound at 19:37. That means New York scored goals with 23 seconds left in the second period and 29 seconds left in the third.
In addition to his highlight reel goal, Dahlin played 25:52 in the game and had five shots. Tuch also had five shots and played 21:06.
Now the question is who does Lindy Ruff put in goal in a back-to-back situation on Sunday in New Jersey. Lyon has played six games since Dec. 8 going 5-0-0 with a 2.17 goals against and .924 save percentage. Does Ruff check with him to see if he’s fatiguing or does he go with one of his other two goalies?
If he’d like to use Colten Ellis, the Sabres would either have to put Tyson Kozak on IR so he can be activated or send someone back to Rochester.
Join Brian Koziol and me for the pregame starting at 6:45 after the Buffalo Bills game against the Cleveland Browns.