All, NHL

Quick Hits: Sabres at Red Wings

bufdet


For 57 minutes of tonight’s game, the Buffalo Sabres looked like a team that did not answer the bell. They were lifeless, deflated and just did not look they did not want to be in Detroit. The final score would indicate a closer game but Buffalo took their time to show up tonight.

The Buffalo Sabres entered tonight’s matchup with the Detroit Red Wings not only looking to play spoiler but they looked to win 2 straight at the Joe Louis Arena since 1981.

Detroit took advantage of a power play, but it took them almost an entire period to do just that. A shot from Henrik Zetterberg popped off the right leg pad of Chad Johnson, a very big rebound. Dylan Larkin found himself in proper position for the rebound. Larkin flipped the puck over Johnson’s pad and into the goal.

Larkin’s 22nd goal of the season, at 18:32 of the first, gave Detroit a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

Detroit would continue to take the lead offensively, with their 2nd goal of the game almost half way into the 2nd period.

Riley Sheahan grabbed the puck back in the Red Wings’ defensive zone. Sheahan bolted up ice, completely untouched as he weaved through all 5 Sabres on the ice. Sheahan then proceeded to put a wrist shot on goal, that ended up going top shelf past Chad Johnson.

Sheahan’s 12th of the season put Detroit up 2-0, at 9:05 of the 2nd period.

The game would remain silent on both sides throughout the remainder of the 2nd period and well into the third period. Finally, looking for extra reinforcements, the Sabres pulled Chad Johnson. Detroit would cash in on this and extend their lead.

Simply put, Luke Glendening put home his 8th goal of the season after the Sabres found themselves pinned deep in their own defensive zone with the net open. Henrik Zetterberg passed the puck to a Glendening, who made no mistake. This pushed Detroit’s lead up to 3-0.

This is where things got very, very weird.

The Sabres skated up ice, into their offensive zone. Brian Gionta with the puck, when he decided to pass it off to Zemgus Girgensons, who put the puck past Jimmy Howard. Girgensons’ 6th goal of the season, at 17:10 of the third period, put Buffalo on the board and cut Detroit’s lead to 3-1.

Buffalo wasn’t going to stop there.

Just 61 seconds later, the Sabres would get themselves on the board again. Ryan O’Reilly got the puck back to Casey Nelson, who was hanging out at the blue line. Nelson, instead of shooting, saw an open Sam Reinhart. Nelson dished a nice pass to Reinhart, which was easily deposited into the net. A little ping of the pipe let us know Reinhart got all of the puck.

Reinhart’s 22nd goal of the season, at 18:11 of the third period, drew Buffalo within 1 goal.

Unfortunately, Buffalo’s final few minute rush to the victory came up too little, too late. Detroit was able to hang on through the crazy roller coaster that was the final 3 minutes of this game.

Detroit’s playoff hopes remain alive with this victory, while Buffalo looks to regroup quick with a trip to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night now front and center.

Buffalo falls to 31-35-10 with 72 points on the season.

Quick hits are now ready for your consumption.

quick hits banner

[su_list icon=”http://bltdsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/sabres-e1444364801206.png”]

    • Lack of effort.

16189722

The first 57 minutes of the game was the hockey equivalent of a poop-filled baby diaper for the Buffalo Sabres. The final 3 minutes were like when you find a 20 dollar bill in your dryer after washing your clothes.

Why did the Sabres only show up for 3 minutes? Maybe because they had the man advantage? Maybe because it was convienent? I have no idea. Either way, the Sabres haven’t played that poorly in awhile but they somehow made up for it while almost completing the improbable comeback.

This team is becoming a lot of fun but they can still frustrate the hell out of us.

    • Welp, this is miserable.

ejYEz5r

    • We are a blog of the people.

We asked our friends to help us write tonight’s recap.

Good night.

[/su_list]

Tags: , , , ,