Have the Buffalo Sabres Finally Turned the Corner?
The Buffalo Sabres executed as a unit against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night, but have they learned their lesson after the harsh words spoken over the weekend?
If you just got a score update on your phone you’d be excused for thinking the Buffalo Sabres had another second-period meltdown, after going 2-1 down to a Dion Phaneuf goal.
The Sabres were getting out-shot and out-skated. All the dressing room talk of the last 48 hours seemed to account for naught.
Then something happened. The Sabres came out in the third period with a game plan and executed it.
The coaching staff clearly talked to the players at the intermission about their lack of shots on net and almost immediately, it paid off. Jack Eichel drove to the net, as Sam Reinhart picked up the puck and immediately put it on goal, which Matt Moulson stabbed over the line.
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It took just 52 seconds in the third period for the coaches message to be implemented and have an effect on the game. What followed was a complete performance throughout all four lines, as Buffalo took the lead through Justin Bailey.
Bailey, who has continued to impress, played on the top line with Ryan O’Reilly and Kyle Okposo. Once again the puck was put on goal and Bailey deflected it in for the eventual game-winner.
Bailey has been a model performer in the Buffalo team. He may not have the scoring touch, but his willingness to play the role assigned to him has seen him rise up the lines.
After all the talk of not sticking to the game plan or executing as a unit, Bailey is a prime example of how doing so can reap the benefits, both personally and for the team.
What followed was a resolute performance through the lines, executing as a unit. As a result, the Sabres suffocated the Senators into submission, grinding out the vital win.
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It may be too early to say after all that has been said, but the Sabres looked a different team on Tuesday night.
This wasn’t the usual gung-ho third period comeback-kids. This was a deliberate and effective performance from a team that was in desperate need of it.