Sabres Erase 3 Goal Deficit to Gain Shootout Win Over Islanders

After losing their last four games, the Buffalo Sabres needed to come out of the holiday break with a win. Going into the third period of last nights game did not look promising for the team as they were down 3-0 against the New York Islanders. Then something changed in the team’s game and they were able to comeback and take the game to a shootout. “It just goes to show you the type of character we have in this room and a no-quit attitude.” Sabres Drew Stafford said.

(Photo courtesy of Bill Wippert)

New York opened the scoring just four minutes into the first period when Nick Leddy took a shot from the blue line and was able to sail the puck just over Jhonas Enroth’s shoulder to make it 1-0.

John Tavares scored his first of the night midway through the second period on a misstep on Buffalo’s part. With play deep in their own end, Buffalo’s Mike Weber was unable to get the puck to his own teammate and Tavares was able to pick up the loose puck and put it in the net. Just three minutes later, Tavares got his second of the night on a nice pass from teammate Josh Bailey. This two goal night put Tavares into the team lead for most goals so far this season.

If this game was played earlier in the season, Buffalo would have almost certainly been done and possibly had a much larger deficit. However, they did not give up and the third period turned out to be their best period. Nicolas Deslauriers would open the scoring for Buffalo in the third when the Islanders tried to clear the puck from in front of the net. Deslauriers was in the right spot to intercept and was able to find the back of the net to make the score 3-1. Four minutes later while shorthanded, Deslauriers found a semi open Zemgus Girgensons and he fought off Johnny Boychuk to get himself in a position to get the puck past goalie Kevin Poulin. Just under two minutes later Chris Stewart took a pass from Drew Stafford and just slid in front of the net and put the puck in, making the game 3-3.

Enroth saved the game in overtime after saving a point blank shot from Thomas Hickey and the game would go to a shootout. The only player to score in the shootout was Buffalo’s Tyler Ennis. Tavares had a nice opportunity to tie it up but Enroth was able to stay with him and help Buffalo win the game. Buffalo’s record now stands at 14-19-3 sitting in 14th in the conference standings and New York’s record now stands at 23-11-1 sitting 3rd in the conference standings.

Buffalo travels to Ottawa for a Monday night game against the Senators and New York returns home to play Monday night against the Washington Capitals.