Jack Eichel scores to beat the Nashville Preditors, 5-4, for Buffalo’s third straight come-from-behind overtime victory.
NASHVILLE, TN. — For the third consecutive game, the Buffalo Sabres came from behind to send the game into overtime before scoring the game-winner in the extra 5-minute session.
The Sabres rallied for a 4-2 deficit midway in the third period to tie the game on goals from Greece native Brian Gionta and Kyle Okposo.
Buffalo controlled the overtime period, capped off by Eichel’s second goal of the contest, and 12th of the season, to pull out the victory. He gained the puck in his own end and rushed the length down the left side, crossed to the middle and fired from the slot to beat the Preditors netminder.
The Sabres also had to overcome a disallowed goal by Marcus Foligno in the final 8 minutes of the game.
Buffalo is 9-3-2 against Western Conference teams this season, and 6-0-1 in their last 7 games versus Western Conference foes.
Trailing 1-0 after the first period, Zemgus Girgensons tied the contest midway through the second. However, the Preditors regained their advantage about 5 minutes later.
In the final minute of the second stanza, Eichel scored off assists from Cody Franson and Zach Bogosian.
Nashville scored a power play goal 5 minutes into the third, and made it a 4-2 margin 5 minutes later.
Sabres captain Gionta found himself open on the left side of the Nashville net. He took a pass from Girgensons and whipped into the empty goal to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Buffalo coach Dan Bylsma pulled goalie Robin Lehner in the final 2 minutes for the extra attacker. The ploy paid dividends when Okposo ripped home a pass from Sam Reinhart, which was his 20th assist of the campaign.
The Sabres (20-18-9) are one of 6 teams with 49 points, 4 points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs (22-14-9), who currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot with 53 points.
Buffalo continues its road trip on Thursday night in Dallas against the Stars and former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.