It wasn't pretty, but the Buffalo Sabres earned a 4-3 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night in their first visit to Honda Center in over two years. It was Rasmus Asplund who played hero for Buffalo on Thursday with two goals, including the game-winning goal in the overtime period.
The Ducks were all over the Sabres in the first period, but the Sabres grabbed the lead early.
Zemgus Girgensons was in the right place at the right time in the first period, as Kyle Okposo sped down the wing and fired a shot on goal. Okposo's shot deflected off Anaheim goaltender Anthony Stolarz straight to the stick blade of Girgensons, who made no mistake on the juicy rebound.
Buffalo would add to their lead in the second period with a power play goal from Asplund, as well as a goal from Arttu Ruotsalainen putting the Sabres up 3-0
From there, it was all downhill.
Troy Terry and Adam Henrique would score to bring the Ducks to within one late in the second period. Anaheim tied it up in the third off Simon Benoit's first NHL goal, eventually sending the game to overtime. That was where Asplund scored his second goal of the night, giving Buffalo their fifth win of the season.
Here are three observations from the Sabres' victory over the Ducks in Anaheim:
1.) Anderson stands tall in net once more
While three goals is the most Craig Anderson has given up in a game this season, he's still the biggest reason Buffalo had any chance of winning this game.
Anderson faced 35 shots from the Ducks on Thursday. In the first period alone, Anaheim fired 17 shots on the Sabres' veteran netminder.
At 40-years-old, Anderson is showing he can still steal a game. He's taken the majority of Buffalo's starts this year, handling the responsibility of a decently-sized workload so far.
2.) Asplund's big game is the difference for Buffalo
Coming into Thursday night's game, Asplund had only scored one goal on the year - an empty netter against the Vancouver Canucks 10 days ago.
Asplund had a couple opportunities with a goalie in the net on Thursday and he made the most of them.
The 23-year-old's first goal came on the power play when defenseman Rasmus Dahlin found Asplund open at the right faceoff circle. Asplund then lasered a one-timer that found the net to give Buffalo a 2-0 lead.
Asplund's next opportunity was a tap-in off a great play from Victor Olofsson who muscled the puck into the slot, while being taken down, finding a streaking Asplund going to the net.
Game over.
3.) Sabres show they can handle multiple types of adversity
Over the past week, the Sabres have shown they're able to weather the storms opponents bring them.
On Monday night, the Sabres got completely outworked by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period. Craig Anderson managed to keep all 11 shots out, while Sabres forward Drake Caggiula scored the go-ahead goal late in the frame on just three shots.
Buffalo completely choked away a three-goal lead on Thursday, yet still found a way to win the game in overtime.
We've seen this team crumble under pressure in the past, but Buffalo is learning different ways to win under head coach Don Granato.
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The Sabres head down the highway to Staples Center for a Sunday afternoon tilt against Anze Kopitar and the Los Angeles Kings. Pregame starts at 3 p.m. ET with Brian Koziol, with puck drop scheduled for just after 4 p.m. ET.
Programming note: Due to Bills game against the Dolphins on WGR this Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET, the broadcast of Sabres-Kings matchup can be heard on The Bet 1520.
