Craig Anderson powers Buffalo to an impressive win over the Lightning Monday night. The Buffalo Sabres find themselves having unexpected success in the young NHL season. Though they have dropped their last two contests, the Sabres started the season with three consecutive wins. They have played hard and look like a team that missed the memo that they are supposed to be playing for a draft lottery pick.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, on the other hand, would not say their early season has gone according to plan. They have played to a .500 record, and are once again without all-World winger Nikita Kucherov due to an injury.
Both were looking for something to build on coming into their Monday night matchup in Buffalo. The Lightning were looking to find their groove and get back on track for a third consecutive Cup run. The Sabres were looking to bounce back after two tough losses and show they can beat the best in the league.
Despite Tampa controlling the game early, Buffalo was able to put forth another gutsy effort and earned an impressive 5-1 victory over the two-time defending champs.
First Period
Despite the Lightning controlling play early, it was the Sabres that drew first blood. Robert Hagg took a pass in his defensive zone and found Tage Thompson with a cross-ice pass through the neutral zone. Thompson put a heavy shot into Tampa goalie Brian Elliott’s chest from distance, but Elliott had trouble with the rebound. Elliott, as well as both Lightning defenders, thought the puck was trapped in Elliott’s chest. However, the puck had squirted free, and Victor Olofsson buried it into the empty net for the 1-0 lead.
Tampa would continue to control play despite the early setback, and would be rewarded late in the period. Alex Killorn, who was not able to capitalize on some brilliant early chances, finally got one home. Tampa worked the puck from low to high, and defenseman Ryan McDonagh put a shot on net. Anderson appeared to handle the shot, but Killorn was persistent in front of the net and was able to get enough of the puck to allow it to sneak through Anderson’s pads for the equalizer.
Second Period
The Lightning would continue their strong play into the second, outshooting the Sabres 11-3. But it would be Buffalo that got the only goal of the second period. Tampa’s Erik Cernak would bobble a puck at the Sabres blue line, and Buffalo’s Drake Caggiula would pick it up for a partial break-away. Caggiula was able to fight off Tampa’s Mikhail Sergachev and give the Sabres a 2-1 lead late in the period.
Third Period
Buffalo would then pull away in the third. Vinnie Hinostroza would corral a loose puck at Tampa’s blue line and wire a shot to the top corner for his first goal as a Sabre.
Tampa would pull Elliot for the extra attacker with just under 6 minutes to play. But Buffalo would add 2 empty-net goals from Robert Hagg and Victor Olofsson, securing the 5-1 victory.
Buffalo Takeaways
Part of the advantage of being a team with low expectations is the ability to play loose. The Sabres embraced that tonight, both to their gain and their detriment. It’s that latter I want to focus on here. Too often the Sabres found themselves unable to leave their own zone with possession, or at all. Poor puck management was the biggest factor for this flaw. On several occasions the Sabres would pass to a player that was either moving in the wrong direction, or in the wrong position. Further, Buffalo’s defense would feel pressure that was not there and needlessly flip the puck to the neutral zone, where it was collected by Tampa’s defensemen and transitioned easily back into Buffalo’s zone.
The Sabres need to make smarter plays in their defensive zone, both with the puck and with puck support (break-out options, puck support, etc). This is something that can be expected from a team as young as the Sabres, and something Don Granato can easily address in film sessions.
Craig Anderson once again appeared to turn back the clock and give Buffalo incredible goaltending. The Sabres, being as young as they are, will need the goalies to bail them out on occasion (as does any successful hockey team). If Anderson can continue to defy age and give the Sabres high-level goaltending, they will have a chance to win any given hockey game.
Speaking of turning back the clock, I have not seen Kyle Okposo play this well since leaving the Islanders back in 2016. He is skating hard and producing, with 4 points in 6 games. Okposo has battled several tough injuries since signing a 7 year, $42 million contract to come with Buffalo. To see Okposo persist and have success is one of several great stories happening in Buffalo this year.
Tampa Bay Takeaways
Tampa had a new gameplan, and appeared to execute it perfectly. They simplified their game significantly and played a simple, dump-and-chase style. And throughout the game, it was highly effective. The Lightning out-shot Buffalo 36-25 and consistently forced mistakes by the Sabres defensive corps. Unfortunately for the Lightning, they were not able to capitalize on their chances.
Despite playing well and controlling play, Tampa played a game that seemed to lack passion. The Lightning absolutely has the talent and depth to withstand their off-season losses as well as the injury to Nikita Kucherov. But at no point in tonight’s contest did the Lightning appear to play with a sense of urgency. Tampa showed their talent and skill, but at the end of the day the Sabres just wanted it more, and the final score reflected this.
Final Thoughts
The Lightning are in a tough spot. It’s not like they played a bad game in Buffalo. They had their game plan and played it well. But at the end of the day, they did not capitalize on their chances, and Buffalo did. The Lightning are frustrated and looking for answers. They still boast one of the most talented rosters in the league, but are still looking for a rhythm. I have complete faith in Jon Cooper to get this turned around.
The Buffalo Sabres have something special. It is hard to quantify, yet obvious for all that watch them play. This is a team in the truest sense of the word. They play for each other. Don Granato has established a culture that makes the Sabres scrappy and fun to watch night in and night out. They will never be out-worked, and that makes them easy to get behind. No one told them they were supposed to suck. These Buffalo Sabres have successfully tuned out all the noise and drama around them, and are playing some great hockey in the process.