The Buffalo Sabres lost yet another game on home ice. This time they squandered a sparkling effort from their starting goaltender and a brilliant close to the first period. 
Despite yielding an ugly first goal, Ryan Miller and the Sabres battled back to right the ship before the end of the first period. Paul Szczechura scored his first as a Sabre and Tyler Ennis converted a nice passing play to give Buffalo the lead. That would be the end of the scoring parade for the Sabres.
Much like last Wednesday against Philly, the Sabres opened the game with a barrage of shots. After putting 12 pucks on net in the first, the Sabres fired only 17 of the next 48 shots between the two teams. On the night the Sabres were outshot 44-29. on home ice.
While Miller was up to the task, the Sabres penalty box parade kept any momentum from being built in the second. That carried into the third period when Ottawa managed to tie the contest. If the Hockey Gods had been on Buffalo’s side tonight, that shot would have hit a leg and caromed wide. Instead the seeing-eye shot found the cage.
Drew Stafford blew his coverage on Jared Cowen (the offensive dynamo that he is) on the game winner. Not much else to be said about the OT tally when both forwards were caught watching.
- Credit to Ryan Miller. He has been a darn good goaltender since his return. Yes, the Philly game was not ideal. But he has made plenty of sparkling saves since coming back against Nashville. Tonight was no exception. He made many big stops to try and stem the ebb going against Buffalo. Nothing he could do through the forest of players on the tying goal. He almost robbed Cowen on the winner. Again, depending which way the Hockey Gods lean, that one may bounce to the slot.
- I was happy to see Szczechura score that beauty of a goal. He was a great depth signing by Darcy. Depending on what the team needs at a certain time, he may even be more attractive to insert than Matt Ellis. Again, dependent on the situation.
- Sadly, Szczechura is still centering Vanek and Pominville. That needs to change. While they have each managed to creep onto a few scoresheets, both have suffered a significant setback from their hot start. Vanek just needs to find the net a bit more and the goals will certainly come back.
- The Leino-Adam-Kassian line could do this team a solid by finding the net. They create opportunities but seem to be all Swedish and no Finnish. Ironic considering Leino’s nationality, no? If this line can consistently find the net, the Sabres will enjoy more games like Washington, Nashville and the first period of the Philly game.
- What a terrible move by Lindy Ruff keeping Marc-Andre Gragnani in the lineup. Sure, he saw about four minutes of power play time. There is no way Andrej Sekera, Jordan Leopold and Christian Ehrhoff aren’t capable of providing enough oomph on the points. Gragnani’s roster spot was wasted this evening. When he did get a shift on defense, he was walked by Erik Karlsson in OT.
- Listening to the game, you didn’t hear from Mike Weber, Robyn Regehr or Brayden McNabb very often. Exactly what you want from your stay-at-home core. These three certainly look as if they’re a strong bunch to keep together for the foreseeable future.
- Off the top of my head, Buffalo is 3-0-0 in their third jerseys this season. That includes a pair of home victories. Perhaps those duds should get run out a few more times.
Three Stars
1. Jared Cowen
2. Peter Regin
3. Ryan Miller
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