Keeping It Going

Game 52, Buffalo Sabres @ New York Islanders, 2/4/12

It looked as though the Buffalo Sabres would really put a damper on any revival of their season Saturday night when the New York Islanders took a 3-1 lead in the first period. The Sabres weren’t playing a bad game but they couldn’t bury their opportunities. Led by two goals from Frans Nielsen and one from Josh Bailey, it was the Islanders game to lose in the final two periods.

However, the lone goal in the first period by Nathan Gerbe was not the only goal the Sabres would score. The Sabres down 3-1 would need four goals in the game for the first time since they did so over a month ago at home against Edmonton. The second period helped the Sabres inch one goal closer as Derek Roy netted a big goal with just under two minutes to go, putting the team in good position to come back in the third.

With just over eight minutes left in the game, one of the best players in recent games for the Buffalo Sabres Paul Gaustad put the tying goal behind goaltender Al Montoya, and the game was tied up.

Overtime was about as crazy a five minutes as you could have asked for. A Sabres penalty for too-many men on the ice put the game in jeopardy. However, just as the Sabres killed off an over-time penalty against the Rangers last Wednesday, the Sabres killed off the Islanders power play blocking shot after shot, refusing to lose. Ryan Miller was very good as well making a few monster saves.

For the third time in the last four games the Sabres were going to a shootout. Ryan Miller stopped the first shooter, Brad Boyes scored, Miller made stopped the second shooter, and then the clutch captain of Buffalo Jason Pominville said goodnight to the Islanders as Buffalo won 4-3.
The team has life. They have hope. The team will have a huge game on Wednesday against the Boston Bruins at First Niagra. Expect the Sabres to play an intense game and expect the energy level to be very exciting in the building. It should be a dandy.

Notes: Thomas Vanek status for the game is looking shaky right now. The Sabres could use their forward as they race toward on a late playoff run.