[ad_1]
Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) – The Sabers kept pace by taking a penalty and a 2-1 lead turned into a 3-2 deficit against Pittsburgh. They got over it in the third period and Conor Sheary beat his team with the overtime winner.
Sheary had two goals and an assist in the must win game. That gives Buffalo two overtime victories over the Penguins.
Buffalo had a terrific job of killing the calls, until Scott Wilson took a double-minor for high sticking. Linus Ullmark had been spectacular, but Patric Hornqvist tipped in a Justin Schultz shot and 1:03 later, Evgeni Malkin found Sidney Crosby for an open one-timer. The goal and an assist gives Crosby 59 points in 38 games against the Sabers.
Buffalo gave up 20 shots in the first period, but many were far away and I did not think the Sabers got dominated. Ullmark had a huge save after Jeff Skinner gave the puck away. Crosby found Jack Johnson breaking in, but Ullmark robbed him.
The Sabers got the lead when Marcus Pettersson turned the puck over. Sam Reinhart set up Jack Eichel alone in the slot and he extended his points streak to seven games.
Brandon Montour paid dividends in his first home game Kyle Okposo on the power play. Okposo made a nice pass in front of Sheary and he scored his first goal in 10 games. The assistant was Montour's first point as a Saber.
Skinner has been snake bitten lately. Matt Murray made a huge save on the slot, but twice.
The Pens are all over the world in the second and once again, there is no sense of urgency from the blue and gold.
The first close call when the puck popped straight up in the air. Montour reached behind Ullmark and shoveled the puck out.
Later, Erik Gudbransson was a late coming defenseman down the slot. No Saber picked up, but Ullmark made a huge save.
Malkin got everything he had a shot down the slot, Ullmark got his mask in the way.
The only chance Buffalo had been in the second period was Scott Wilson being stopped on the back shots in close by Murray.
Dahlin had a chance to tie the game early in the third period, but Murray got an arm on it. A few minutes later, Buffalo had an even better chance when Skinner stole the puck and felt in a streaking Eichel, but he missed the net.
Buffalo had another great luck when Casey Mittelstadt found Wilson in front, but Murray robbed him again.
The Sabers got a late third period power play. Rasmus Dahlin saw Skinner right the crease, but somehow the puck did not go in.
With less than five minutes remaining, Buffalo got another good chance when Evan Rodrigues came across the right circle, but he hit the post.
Buffalo kept coming at Murray and Montour found at the point. Sheary did a good job of tying his man up in front.
Sheary was not done because of just 49 seconds left in overtime, he came off the bench and took a shot that eluded Murray. Right before the game-winning goal, Evgeni Malkin had hit the post behind Ullmark.
There's no rest for the Sabers who are back in Toronto on Saturday.
[ad_2]
Source link