(WGR 550) – The Buffalo Sabres walked into Seattle on Monday night and picked up their first win in franchise history over the Kraken, 6-2.
I think the impressive part was after giving up the first goal of the game just 24 seconds in, Tage Thompson got it back just 25 seconds later.
The Sabres weren’t done, though, as goals by Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch made it 3-1 just 5:41 in, which spelled the end of Joey Daccord’s night for Seattle. Daccord gave up three goals on just five shots.
Despite Matty Beniers getting a very lucky power play goal, Buffalo did a good job of not backing down to a physical team. I think in the past, they got knocked around by Seattle, but not this time.
After the Beniers goal, the Sabres started to turn the puck over, but Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was there to make every save.
Midway through the second period, JJ Peterka ripped a shot that re-directed off the stick of Dylan Cozens and off the post. However, Owen Power followed it in and made it 4-2, Buffalo.
Power now has four goals and five assists for nine points in his last 12 games.
Skinner scored again just moments later to make it 5-2 after 40 minutes.
Late in the third period, Skinner picked up his hat-trick to give him 24 goals on the season. It was also Buffalo's first hat-trick from any player this season.
Luukkonen was also right on his game, making 18 third period saves and 32 saves overall. The Sabres did get sloppy in the third, but Luukkonen was key in locking down the victory.
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After losing in Detroit on Saturday, it was very important to get a win in Seattle. That gives the Sabres four wins in five games, and a record of 9-4-1 in their last 14 contests. Those 19 points is second in the NHL during that time period behind only the Nashville Predators, who have 22 points.
The Washington Capitals beat the Calgary Flames on Monday, and have taken over the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 75 points. Buffalo is four points back of the Caps, three behind the Red Wings and two back of the New York Islanders.
Buffalo is in Vancouver on Tuesday to play the Canucks, while Detroit hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Islanders face the Carolina Hurricanes on Long Island.
