Six Straight Goals Propel Oilers Past Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres had a 3-2 lead late in the second period, but six straight goals gave the Edmonton Oilers the victory on home ice. The score does not define how close the game was heading into the third period, with goals and shots even between the two teams. Then, the Oilers did Oilers things, as the Sabres failed to defend the speedy counter-attack.

JJ Peterka opened the scoring, as his new linemates – Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch – set him up in front of the net. After Rasmus Dahlin scored a goal that was called back on an offsides challenge, Victor Olofsson found the back of the net to make it 2-0 Buffalo.

Before the end of the first period, Leon Draisaitl was able to cash in on the powerplay. The goal was an ever-important one to keep the game within one.

Mattias Ekholm tied the game for the Oilers early in the second on a setup from Connor McDavid. The Sabres regained the lead as JJ Peterka notched his second of the night on a great pinch by Connor Clifton late in the period. Zach Hyman answered in the last minute and Edmonton found themselves tied again.

Darnell Nurse’s goal early in the third period proved very costly, as the Sabres got aggressive and conceded another goal to Ekholm about a minute later. Hyman, Ryan McLeod, and Connor Brown capitalized on the desperation attack by the Sabres, sealing an Oilers win.

Impact Players

The top players on the Oilers were the stars of this game, with a special nod to Mattias Ekholm who had two goals. McDavid had four assists and Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists.

For the Sabres, only one line was going from the start of the game. Head coach Don Granato decided to move JJ Peterka to the top line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch before the game, and the move paid off. Peterka shined with two goals, and his linemates were key contributors throughout the game.

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The Difference

The difference in the game was simple – the third period. Edmonton struck first to break the tie game, and the Sabres were forced to play a game from there on out that they could not handle. The Oilers are too fast and too talented on the rush. Whenever the Sabres had to pinch or had an extra man caught down low, Edmonton countered and made them pay.

The Sabres needed that first goal in the third in a bad way. They also gave up two late-period goals in both the first and second. It’s wild to say in an 8-3 game, but a little more focus and cleaner execution could’ve resulted in a different fate for Buffalo.

What’s Next

The Sabres get some rest but finish their West Coast trip in Calgary on Sunday. The Flames are expected to have starting goalie Jacob Markstrom back from injury this weekend. Like the Sabres, they’re on the outside looking in regarding the playoff picture and will need all the reinforcements they can get.