Columbus, OH (WGR 550) - The Sabres came off break flying, taking the play to the Blue Jackets and getting themselves out to a 4-2 lead. There were so many things to like in the first 35 minutes. They made it tight by the end, but a good third period allowed Buffalo to pick up two points on everybody it's chasing except Boston.
The line of Casey Mittelstadt, Conor Sheary and Evan Rodrigues was around the net the whole first period and it paid off with Rodrigues scoring a goal in his fourth consecutive game. I thought the play by Sheary to set up the goal was fantastic, and I thought Sheary had his best period of the season.
By being around the net, Sheary got two great opportunities to score and was using his speed to help get the puck up ice. His persistence in being there also got him the game-winning goal. He camped himself in front of Sergei Bobrovsky and was wide open to convert a Rodrigues rebound.
If Sheary plays around the net like that on a regular basis, his goal-scoring slumps will be a thing of the past.
I was particularly impressed with the third period. Buffalo had a 4-2 lead, but gave up two goals in the final five minutes of the second period to go into the intermission tied. It was maddening for the fans because Buffalo had played 35 minutes of very good hockey, and then five minutes of horrible hockey making it 4-4.
Both Carter Hutton and Sheary said Jack Eichel rallied the troops, helping them to a good third.
I thought the final three minutes were very good. Hutton was called on to make a few good saves while it was 6-on-5, but I thought they locked it down despite many tired players that had to stay on due to icing calls. John Tortorella did Buffalo a favor by calling time out allowing the Sabres stuck on the ice to rest and regroup.
Another thing that I liked was the answer the Sabres had to the Blue Jackets second goal. It took 21 seconds for Eichel to spring Jeff Skinner in alone. Bobrovsky appeared to have stopped it, but he fell backwards and the puck went over the goal line. That's the kind of response we haven't seen enough of this season.
This was only Matt Hunwick's third game of the season, and I thought he was solid. He got into the offensive flow and was good in his own end.
Rasmus Ristolainen did a nice job of setting up Sam Reinhart for his goal, but it was the way he attacked the offensive zone that was key. He got in on the cycle and dominated along the wall to set up the goal.
I also don't want to forget to talk about the jump Mittelstadt had. The Sheary goal doesn't happen if Mittelstadt doesn't get in on the puck not once, but twice. He was quick and Columbus couldn't handle him.
The win came at just the right time and the same thing can happen Wednesday in Dallas, because the only other team playing will be Pittsburgh against Tampa Bay.
