Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) - On Friday the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens played a very even game. Buffalo had its five-game winning streak snapped, losing 4-2 and the Sabres lost for just the second time all season when leading after 40 minutes.
Since Jan. 15, Buffalo went 2-1-0 against the Habs and had all sorts of opportunities to win this one. The Sabres fired 38 shots on the red hot Jakub Dobes and dominated the second period where Dobes made numerous Grade-A saves. Montreal’s goaltender is now 8-0-1 in his last nine games.
At the other end Alex Lyon had his team record 10-game winning streak broken, but he also played very well in the crease. He gave up three goals on 31 shots with two of them going to Cole Caufield who now has 32 goals including 11 in eight games. The final goal by Oliver Kapanen went into the empty net as the Sabres were pressing 6-on-5 to tie the game.
The Sabres did beat Dobes cleanly twice, but Jack Quinn ripped a missile from the right circle that hit the post and Tage Thomspon hit the cross bar on a late power play. Buffalo also missed the net on some golden opportunities.
The goal that seemed to really irk Lindy Ruff came at 10:13 of the third period giving Montreal a 3-2 lead. Michael Kesselring was soft along the wall and got stripped of the puck by Kirby Dach. Rookie Konsta Helenius was late getting back to cover Caufield who had an easy layup. Ruff benched both players for the rest of the night.
This was just one of those 50/50 games that lately have been going Buffalo’s way, this one didn’t. Montreal’s points percentage went up to .627 while vaulting them from Wild Card No. 1 in the Eastern Conference to second place in the Atlantic Division. Had Buffalo won, they’d be in second right now, but the Sabres at .620 are now Wild Card No. 1. The Detroit Red Wings lost 5-0 to the Colorado Avalanche and are in third in the Atlantic at .625.
The Sabres are still 20-4-1 in their last 25 games. Owen Power continued his much improved play scoring his first goal in 25 games. Power was all over the ice and Ruff has been very impressed recently with his young defenseman. Ruff said Power has been playing well defensively which is why he's improved in this stretch. He's liked his skating and physicality down low which is better. Analytics back up what Ruff is saying.
Some of the things that pop out during these 25 games is Tage Thompson scoring 15 goals and 33 points. Alex Tuch has 12 goals in 24 games, Rasmus Dahlin has 24 points in 24 games and Ryan McLeod has 23 points in 25 games. This is a 75 point pace. McLeod's career high was last season when he had 53 points. Overall he’s on pace for 56 points this year.
As far as goaltending goes in this stretch, Lyon is 10-1-0 with a 2.05 goals against and .930 save percentage. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 7-2-1 with a 2.56 goals against and .917 save percentage. Colten Ellis is 3-1-0 with a 2.46 goals against and .909 save percentage. With games on Monday and Tuesday, my guess is both Lyon and Ellis will play.
Before the Olympic Break the Sabres play in Florida on Monday and Tampa Bay on Tuesday before coming home to play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
After the game Ruff said he dressed Jordan Greenway for warmup because one of the forwards was very questionable, but wound up playing. Greenway is going to be looked at by the doctor on Monday and won’t be going to Florida with the team. Jacob Bryson is now back and ready to play, so Zac Jones has been sent back to Rochester and the Amerks leading goal scorer, Isak Rosen has been called up. Rosen has 20 goals and 32 points in 28 games. His goals ranks fifth in the AHL. With the Sabres this season Rosen has three goals and four assists for seven points in 13 games.