Coming off an overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings, the Sabers carried their momentum into this game as Buffalo provided balanced production from across the roster, managed to slow down the Oilers’ dynamic offense and took advantage of Colton Ellis’ tough net mindset.
Summary of the game
The game started slowly for both teams, as neither spent much time in the offensive zone. The Sabers earned their first power play when Mattias Ekholm went to the penalty box for high-sticking. Alternate captain Tage Thompson led the defense to get a shot off, but goalkeeper Stuart Skinner made a save. The Oilers successfully killed Buffalo’s first power play attempt, with blocks on captain Rasmus Dahlin and a freed puck on Owen Power’s pass attempt.
It was Edmonton’s time to return the favor after Josh Doan committed an interference penalty. The Sabres, who have proven to be excellent at killing penalties, stopped the Oilers’ first power play. The two teams traded blows as Alex Tuch kicked the puck to Ryan McLeod into the middle of the slot for a shot, which was done with gloves. Leon Draisaitl then intercepted Dahlin’s pass as he ripped a shot from the left faceoff circle, but it was denied.
A high-stick penalty from Connor McDavid allowed Buffalo to break the deadlock, and they failed to capitalize. American Hockey League (AHL) call-up Isak Rosen fed the puck to his Rochester Americans teammate Noah Ostlund as he pivoted from a backhand to a forehand and dumped the puck into the back of the net to give the Sabers a 1-0 lead.
Buffalo opened the second period with deliberate play on defense and a shot-first mentality on the other end. Jake Walman swung a shot, which Zach Hyman tried to redirect, but the Sabers defense up front thwarted his attempt. Buffalo also fired a few shots on goal, along with Byram’s backhand, all of which Skinner deflected.
A Dahlin turnover paved the way for a Draisaitl breakaway as he rushed down the ice and dropped the puck to Jack Roslovic to bury the equalizer, 1-1. The Sabres, looking to regain the upper hand, unleashed shots thanks to Peyton Krebs’ backhand and Dahlin’s flicker, which Skinner deflected.
Buffalo got their chance in the offensive zone and put shots on goal. Their perseverance paid off when Tyson Kozak advanced the puck to Bowen Byram in the right faceoff circle and scored a goal to take the lead, 2-1. A minute later, Dahlin fired a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle, and Beck Malenstyn knocked down the puck to score another goal, extending the Sabres’ goal advantage to two, 3–1.
Buffalo denied Edmonton’s offensive push to end the second period. The tides changed again in the third period as the Sabres’ high-octane shooting became apparent. Ostlund possessed the puck off a faceoff and scored a near-circle goal, extending the lead for Buffalo, 4-1.
The Sabers stifled the Oilers’ chances and maintained steady offensive zone time as the game moved to the final stretch. Thompson scored the empty net goal and grabbed the puck from the other side, sealing the victory for Buffalo in a 5-1 dominance.
What’s next?
The Sabers will continue their slate, fighting another team from Alberta as they will host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. The Oilers, on the other hand will head to DC to face the Washington Capitals also on Wednesday.
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