Buffalo Sabres Make Short Work of Apparent Crisis
By Paul Taylor
The Buffalo Sabres provided the perfect response to their recent injuries and season-opening defeat, with a dominating win against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
Crisis?!…………What crisis?!?! Facing their first adversity of this young season, the Buffalo Sabres supplied further evidence of the mindset of the latest regime, with a convincing 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
Admittedly, even objective observers didn’t expect much from the Sabres heading into Edmonton. After all, they were facing an Oilers team which had come storming out of the gates, with two wins to start the new campaign.
Of particular concern, was the form of Connor McDavid. The 2015 first overall draft pick entered Sunday night’s action tied for first in the NHL, with six points.
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However, the Sabres did a tremendous job on McDavid, not only slowing him down but pretty much stopping him all together. He finished the night with zero points, just one shot on goal and a -1 plus/minus rating.
Amazingly though, that wasn’t even the highlight of the evening, giving you some indication of how well Dan Bylsma‘s men performed. Instead, that honor went to Ryan O’Reilly, who had a career-high four points including what turned out to be the game-winner, after a fortuitous shot from center ice.
O’Reilly discussed the goal with Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News and the rest of the media: “I was trying to throw a little garbage at the net and get a good bounce and lucky for me. Anytime you throw a little grenade at the net, you never know.”
The center wasn’t the only one stamping his authority on the game. Kyle Okposo started to repay his seven-year, $42 million contract by opening the scoring in his Sabres’ regular season debut, while adding an assist on O’Reilly’s first goal.
Speaking to Harrington and the rest of the media afterwards, Okposo said: “Obviously it’s nice to get one early like that. It was a great play all around by my two linemates and all I had to do was put it in the empty cage.
“It’s good for the confidence. It’s different to come to a new team, so I’m happy to get that off my back.”
Everywhere you looked, there was someone doing their bit to help secure an impressive road victory, as 10 players ended up with at least one point. Captain Brian Gionta scored two goals of his own and Rasmus Ristolainen added three assists, while Robin Lehner saved 31 of 33 shots.
Admittedly, just like the home opener, this only represents one game. Regardless, the Sabres suddenly look like a team that refuses to use the absence of Jack Eichel and Evander Kane as any excuse to lay down and accept defeat.
Moving forward, Josh Gorges hopes the result against the Oilers will prove to be a launching point to challenge this season: “Tonight was one of those games we should hold on to for the rest of the year.
“Collectively, from our goaltender to six D to 12 forwards, we all did the little things we had to do. It was nice to see.”
Next: Is it really any surprise Jack Eichel injured himself?
Using the first two games of the season as a barometer, how would you characterize yourself as a Sabres’ fan? Do you believe you’re reasonably level-headed, or as up-and-down as the results against the Canadiens and Oilers? Let us know in the comments section below.