The Buffalo Sabres moved to 1-2-0 on the 2020-21 season on Monday night as they throttled the upstart Philadelphia Flyers, 6-1 at Wells Fargo Center.
The Sabres got on the board late in the first period when from a tough angle, Curtis Lazar beat young, star netminder Carter Hart with a backhander up high.
It was the first time in 135:52 of game time in the young season that Buffalo jumped out to any sort of lead over their opponent.
The Sabres made it 2-0 early in the second when Sam Reinhart struck for his first goal of the year, and it came on the power play. After struggling on the man advantage to the tune of an 0-for-5 clip against the Washington Capitals on Friday night, the blue and gold wasted no time bouncing back.
Taylor Hall also registered an assist on the play, giving him points in all three games with the Sabres. It's the 20th time in team history a newcomer has begun their Sabres career with such a streak.
Just over three minutes later, Reinhart struck again when he was left alone in the slot. He picked up a loose puck and got a quick wrist shot off that just managed to get through Hart.
The @BuffaloSabres look good tonight. Taylor Hall is buzzin. Hall-Eichel-Reinhart are a force. No one does more with his long reach than Eichel. Look at this play. pic.twitter.com/AqTdB75gLl
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) January 19, 2021
Lazar then decided he would not be outdone by Reinhart, as he scored his second goal of the night to make it a 4-0 contest. Lazar was left all alone in front of the goal crease and deposited a seeing-eye pass from Riley Sheahan into the back of the Philadelphia net.
That goal ended the night for Hart, who was then replaced by backup Brian Elliott.
Henri Jokiharju then got on the scoresheet in the third period, as his first goal of the season trickled harmlessly past Elliott for a 5-0 Sabres advantage. The lone assist on the goal went to veteran Eric Staal, his first in a Buffalo sweater.
The final two goals of the night were score in the final 2:05 of regulation.
The Flyers ended the shutout bid for Carter Hutton when Nicolas Aube-Kubel scored his first goal of the season. However, Hutton still played well for the Sabres, stopping 21 of 22 shots faced on the night.
Moments later, after Aube-Kubel took a double-minor penalty for high-sticking, Victor Olofsson capped the scoring with a power play tally for his second goal of the season.
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GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 15:52 - Curtis Lazar (1) (Unassisted)
PHI: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 3:35 - Sam Reinhart (1) PPG (Taylor Hall, Jack Eichel); 6:28 - Sam Reinhart (2) (Jack Eichel, Taylor Hall); 8:09 - Curtis Lazar (2) (Riley Sheahan, Brandon Montour)
PHI: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 10:47 - Henri Jokiharju (1) (Eric Staal); 18:49 - Victor Olofsson (2) PPG (Taylor Hall, Jack Eichel)
PHI: 17:55 - Nicolas Aube-Kubel (1) (Michael Raffl)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 2:34 - Brandon Montour (Hooking - 2 min.)
PHI: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 2:21 - Carter Hart (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
PHI: 13:20 - Phil Myers (Tripping - 2 min.); 18:01 - Nicolas Aube-Kubel (High-sticking - 4 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Sam Reinhart - BUF
2.) Curtis Lazar - BUF
3.) Jack Eichel - BUF
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What's Next:
It'll be another Sabres game night on Tuesday, as they wrap up the two-game mini series in Philadelphia. Coverage on WGR begins with the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show starting at 6 p.m. EST with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. EST along the Buffalo Sabres Radio Network.
