Sabres Record First Victory with a 4-3 win in OT

The Buffalo Sabres finally added a “W” to the win column on Tuesday night. It took 1:46 into overtime for the Sabres to secure their first win this early season. Dylan Cozens fired home the winning wrister past former Sabres goalie Jonas Johansson

The Sabres broke out to a 1-0 lead with Zemgus Girgensons with a sweet wrister from the left circle for his first of the season. The assists went to Tyson Jost and Mattias Samuelsson at 08:57 of the opening period.

With less than five minutes left in the period, Jeff Skinner took a beauty of a pass from defenseman Owen Power, who roofed a wrist shot, giving the Sabres a 2-0 lead. Alex Tuch also assisted on the goal. After the first session, SOG was led by Buffalo 11-8.

Tampa Bay forward Brandon Hagel scored his first of two with less than three minutes left in the second frame. The second tally was the tying goal, which trickled in with .07 left in the third period. What should’ve been a Sabres win ended up being a Lightning buzzer-beater. So on to overtime, the teams went. Buffalo held the edge in shots after three periods, 29-25.

It was the first time the Sabers needed the extra session this season. Center Dylan Cozens took back what his team had lost with seconds left in regulation time. It only took 1:46 to solidify his team’s first win this season.

Rookie Goaltender Devon Levi stopped 21 shots to earn his first win in his 3rd straight start. 

The Sabres will now move on to Thursday night with a rare home matchup with the Calgary Flames. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m.

Sabres Drop First Road Game to Islanders

Sabres lost their second outing and first away from home on Saturday, October 14th, by a score of 3-2. Between ongoing bad decisions, lack of desperation, and bad officiating, the Buffalo Sabres left New York disappointed.

The Sabres fell behind 0-2 by the end of the first period with goals by Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Each team finished the period at seven shots apiece. 

Jordan Greenway scored on a backhand to cut the Islanders’ lead in half at 4:15 of the second frame. Casey Mittelstadt and Zach Benson picked up the helpers. That was Benson’s first regular season point in the National Hockey League. Buffalo outshot the Islanders 14-10 in that period and 21-17 over 40 minutes. 

The Sabres evened the score when Mittelstadt picked up his second point of the game at 2:34 of the third with assists by Zach Benson with his second of the match, along with Rasmus Dahlin.

Then, with just under seven minutes left in regulation, Casey Cizikas scored, which resulted in being the winner. Total shots in the game favored New York 29-28.

The Sabres head back to Buffalo, looking to get on track Tuesday night with a possible win over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning.

 

Rangers Spoil Sabres Emotional Season Opener

A night that began in remembrance of the passing of Buffalo Sabres legend play caller, Rick Jeanneret, with tears and cheers, unfortunately, ended in bitter disappointment. The New York Rangers entered KeyBank Center and left with a 5-1 win.

Leading the way for the Rangers was forward Chris Kreider with three points, a pair of goals, and an assist. Artemi Panarin added a goal and assist, while Mika Zibanejad bagged three assists. 

If that wasn’t enough New York Rangers glee, Igor Shesterkin backstopped 24 saves, collecting his 100th NHL victory.

The lone Sabres scorer was JJ Peterka, while rookie netminder Devon Levi made 26 saves.

Looking ahead, the Buffalo Sabres will drop the puck against the New York Islanders. The game will start at 7:00 p.m.