The Buffalo Sabres earned their second victory of the season in a 4-2 defeat of the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s Buffalo’s first road win on the season, thanks to contributions from the top line.
The Sabres struck first, as JJ Peterka darted in and left the puck for Tage Thompson to wrist one home from the slot. Buffalo followed that up less than three minutes later as Connor Clifton threw the puck to the net from the point, bouncing off Beck Malenstyn for his first goal as a Sabre.
The two-goal lead the Sabres carried into the second period quickly vanished on two goals by Craig Smith for the Blackhawks. Buffalo responded before the end of the second as Thompson returned the earlier favor and found Peterka at the top of the crease for the go-ahead goal.
The third period was highly uneventful, as the Sabres kept the Blackhawks mostly to the outside before eventually sealing it with Ryan McLeod’s empty-net goal.
Powerplay Still Scoreless
The story heading into the game was Buffalo’s abysmal special teams, and the powerplay did nothing to change the narrative. The Sabres are now 0-21 on the powerplay after four failed attempts.
There were a few quality opportunities, but too much standing around and settling for bad shots has the powerplay eerily similar to last season. The Sabres already switched up their personnel with the man advantage, so perhaps it’s time to implement a new strategy.
Otherwise, the pitiful results will speak for themselves.
Thompson, Peterka Cooking for Sabres
With a goal and an assist each, Thompson and Peterka are the clear scoring threats on the Sabres roster. Alex Tuch is playing a complementary role to the duo as they zip the puck around in the offensive zone and on the rush.
While the Sabres still wait for Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn to provide secondary scoring, Thompson and Peterka are stepping up in a big way. Thompson has five points in four games and Peterka has four goals and five points in three games since returning from a concussion.
Average Goaltending is Okay
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had some big saves and probably let in at least one goal he’d like back. It was an average-to-above-average performance by the Sabres goalie overall. He saved 1.13 goals above expected per Evolving-Hockey.
Average goaltending may be all Buffalo needs. Devon Levi let in over four goals above expected on Thursday in Columbus when average goaltending likely wins them the game.
If the solid five-on-five play continues and special teams regress to the mean, anything the goalies can add to the mix should be plenty to win games. Great goaltending can change the team’s outlook completely.
