The Buffalo Sabres entered the ultimate stage of their three-game street journey contemporary off a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Geese. Given how essential the following 5 video games of the schedule are, ending out the street journey with a win was of nice concern to each the staff and fan base alike.
After a foggy begin, the Sabres rebounded but once more to seek out sufficient to win the sport. There are just a few key takeaways price speaking about from the Sabres’ 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, so let’s get into the good things.
Alex Tuch Deserves Selke Consideration
Alex Tuch’s significance to this staff and this season can’t be understated. He has taken his recreation to a different degree, contributing in all areas of the sport like by no means earlier than. When speaking heads and critics discuss a 200-foot recreation, that is what they’re referring to.
Tuch scored his third shorthanded aim of the season, what would finally show to be the game-winner simply over 5 minutes into the third interval. It ties him for the league lead however it additional underscores what we’ve been seeing all through the season: Tuch performs an entire recreation.
Tuch is driving a six-game level streak and has tallied not less than one level in 9 of his final 10 video games. Offensively, he’s doing what the staff expects. Defensively and on the penalty kill, he’s going above and past. Tuch deserves to be acknowledged among the many elite defensive forwards within the league as a result of that’s what he’s.
Sabres Combating By way of Adversity
If there’s one theme all through this Sabres street journey, it has been combating by way of adversity. Positive, the Los Angeles Kings are in all probability the one professional playoff contender out of the three video games, however heading into the journey with out Tage Thompson had many feeling doubtful about how the Sabres would do.
Associated: Sabres Have Outgrown the Want for Ethical Victories
For the second consecutive recreation, the Sabres noticed the opposition an early lead however discovered a option to come again as the sport unfolded. Whereas it isn’t nice to cede early results in groups like Anaheim and San Jose, the Sabres didn’t surrender and let the sport slip away as previous incarnations of the staff would have.
The Sabres appeared slightly drained out of the gate however finally discovered their legs within the win over the Sharks. Three days off earlier than internet hosting the Minnesota Wild will hopefully present sufficient of a lift that they don’t lay an egg towards what has been an excellent staff. However their capacity to struggle by way of the challenges has already made this staff really feel completely different.
Optimus Reim(er) in Impact
James Reimer, contemporary off of being reclaimed by the Sabres, acquired the nod within the stead of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. For a man who hasn’t performed since Oct. 27, Reimer appeared excellent towards the Sharks, turning away 31 of 33 photographs on the evening, a few of them fairly troublesome.
Reimer’s efforts have been key to this win because the Sabres tried to seek out their legs early on. The Sharks had 28 of their 33 photographs by way of two intervals and Reimer held the Sabres within the recreation till Dylan Cozens and Tuch pushed the Sabres forward within the third.
Reimer simply must be the spot man who can provide UPL a breather alongside the way in which. That is precisely the kind of begin that the Sabres wanted out of him. The goaltending state of affairs in Buffalo has gotten loads brighter over the past month or so.
Unbelievable Finish to the Street Journey
For groups just like the Sabres, proper on the sting of the wild card, beating groups just like the Sharks and Geese is necessary. The Sabres acquired the job achieved, bettering to 11-9-1 on the season. The truth that the Sabres are above .500 on the finish of November is a massively optimistic signal, particularly in an Atlantic Division that feels prefer it has extra parody.
One other factor price contemplating: the Sabres are 11-6-1 since beginning the season 0-3-0. They’ve managed to place collectively a number of three-game successful streaks, a promising signal for the remainder of the season. It’s nonetheless early, however this looks like a Sabres staff we’ve all been hoping to see.
