Buffalo shocks the defending Stanley Cup Champions, 5-2.
By Chris Ryndak / Sabres.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Linus Ullmark made 28 saves and Jack Eichel scored the game-winning goal to extend his point streak to 14 games in the Buffalo Sabres’ 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday at KeyBank Center.
Eichel potted the go-ahead goal with 14:14 remaining on the clock to keep the longest point streak in the NHL alive. He then added Buffalo’s second empty-net goal of the game with 1.2 seconds left for his 20th goal of the season. Eichel is the third player in the League to hit the 20-goal mark this season.
During the streak (which began on Nov. 16), Eichel has recorded 25 points (12+13).
Johan Larsson recorded a goal and an assist while Sam Reinhart also scored for Buffalo. Zemgus Girgensons added an empty-net goal with 50.5 seconds remaining.
What happened
Eighteen seconds into the game, Victor Olofsson’s effort in front deflected in off Reinhart and then off David Perron and into the back of the net to put Buffalo ahead.
Then at the 3:37 mark, St. Louis tied the game when Troy Brouwer connected on a feed in front from Ivan Barbashev.
Buffalo took the lead with 8.6 seconds left in the second when Larsson cashed in on a shot by Zach Bogosian that went off the end boards and out in front.
The Blues battled back when Alex Pietrangelo tied it 2-2 3:52 into the third, but Buffalo took the lead right back when Eichel scored at the 3:52 mark.
What it means
Buffalo is now 15-11-6 on the season and 9-3-3 at home (they’re 9-2-3 at KeyBank Center).
Olofsson recorded two assists, giving him 18 points (6+12) in his last 17 games, including two-point performances in four of the team’s last five games.
Larsson is in the midst of his first three-game point streak since November 2016. He now has nine points (2+7) and a plus-9 rating in Buffalo’s last seven contests.
Ullmark is 5-1-1 with a .923 save percentage in his last seven appearances.
Eichel’s second goal was the 13th empty-net goal of his career, tying Gilbert Perreault and Miroslav Satan for the most empty-netters in Sabres history.
Up next
The Sabres will honor the 1980s and Buffalo Memorial Auditorium with Aud Night festivities on Thursday when the team takes on the Nashville Predators at KeyBank Center.
Dahlin resumes skating with Sabres
Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin skated with the Sabres on Tuesday morning for the first time since his injury. He still has not been cleared from for contact and remains day-to-day.
Dahlin’s injury occurred with the Sabres on a power play during their game against the Lightning. He carried the puck low into the offensive zone and had just passed it off when defenseman Eric Cernak stepped up and delivered an elbow to his head.
Cernak was not initially penalized for the play, though he did receive a two-game suspension from the Department of Player Safety the following day. The Lightning defenseman texted Dahlin to say there was no ill intent on the hit.
The concussion marks the first injury of Dahlin’s young career. He appeared in all 82 games as a rookie last season, earning a nomination for the Calder Trophy. He’s tallied 16 points (1+15) in 24 contests this season.