All Posts

Former Sabres earn secondary assist and power play goal

Sabres 6 – Bruins 3 (en) Buffalo takes the four game regular season series versus Boston 3-1 with a 16-7 goal differential, and during an impressive win last night Center Thompson was able to earn a Hat Trick.

Buffalo has won its last four games, and they are 10-4-0 (2 SO & 1 OT Wins) in their last 14 games to get within two games of pulling even with their regular season record and having six games (3 home & 3 road) remaining.

The Sabres offense has awakened highlighted by the statistic that only two teams in the Eastern Conference (Tampa Bay & Washington) have scored more goals than the Sabres this season.

Defenseman Bowen Byram playing in his first full season for Buffalo earned two assists last night to reach the 30-assist plateau giving the Sabres for the first time in their history three defensemen with 30 assists during the same season.

A perfect April continues as Buffalo wins the first three games of the month and can keep the pace going tomorrow night (7 pm) as Carolina visits here along the Lake.

Buffalo Beats Back Bolts

Sabres 3 – Lightning 2 (SO) Sabres goaltender Reimer has played spectacularly and has become the number one netminder in Buffalo and gives thanks, “So, you prepare leading up to the game, and then when it comes to game time, you just trust the work you put in and the talent the good Lord gave you”.

Center Thompson scored his 40th goal last night becoming the eighth Sabres player to have multiple 40 goal campaigns, and LW Zucker becomes one of Buffalo’s 20 goal scorers when he tied the game on the power play during the third period.

Overtime was entertaining as each team had quality opportunities and four SOG a piece but no goals, then the Sabres No. 1 goaltender Reimer slammed the net shut on both Tampa Bay shooters during the shootout and both Buffalo forwards RW Quinn and RW Tuch scored winning the game for the Sabres and the home crowd.

Around the League

There were four shutouts last night with Toronto, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Ottawa blanking their opponents.

Pittsburgh surprises Dallas as C Crosby records the 14th Hat Trick of his career and the Penguins crush the Stars winning streak by scoring four times in the third period on a 17 SOG barrage to win 5-3 in Texas.

Boston blows everyone away as RW Pasternak scored his first natural Hat Trick earning his fifth 40 goal season, with his third goal of the night giving the Bruins a 5-0 lead and eventual 5-1 win.

The St Louis Blues now own this season’s (and their franchise record) winning streak record at 12 games and counting…the Blues sit solidly with the top wild card seeding in the Western Conference as they beat the guaranteed playoff team Colorado Avalanche by a 5-4 (en) score.

As for the rest of last night’s games…

Canucks 6 – Ducks 2

Canadiens 3 – Flyers 2

Hockey Club 4 – Jets 1

Knights 3 – Flames 2

Kraken 5 – Sharks 1

The Great 8 has tied The Great One

Capitals 5 – Blackhawks 3 (en) It is entertaining and historical watching what was thought impossible but now is just one goal from happening, LW Ovechkin one of the NHL’s premier players has equaled the NHL goal scoring record.

Highlighting why the sport of hockey is head and shoulders above other professional sports leagues, Captain Foligno with his Blackhawks after a close, tough road loss, stood in a handshake line to hug and pay respect to a player who has made his mark in NHL history.

When Mr. Gretzky broke Mr. Howe’s NHL scoring record, which was also thought impossible at one time, I was bitter because to me it seemed as if the Oilers were dragging Mr. Howe around (he seemed resigned not honored) to every game so he would be in attendance when his record fell.

No such bitterness remains, and this was different as one of Canada’s icons (Wayne Gretzky) has shown himself over the seasons as a well-mannered gentleman who cares more about hockey than himself, humble, soft spoken, and can tell one humorous anecdote after another covering decades of NHL history.

The Soviets/Russians have like other Nations looked to Canada as the gold standard in hockey, but now bragging rights about who is the best player…well, time will tell if the new NHL scoring record that LW Ovechkin is sure to add to will become impossible as well.

The Other Two Games

Red Wings 5 – Hurricanes 3 Detroit beat Carolina for the first time in their third attempt this year during their three-game regular season series, as RW Kane scored his 20th and RW DeBrincat scored his 34th for the Wings and the win.

Islanders 3 – Wild 1 New York’s victory puts them one game over 500% and Minnesota still sits solidly in the Western Conference’s last wild card seeding after the loss.

Today’s Action From 12:30 pm this afternoon until 10 pm this evening there are 13 NHL games to pick from with Buffalo hosting Tampa Bay at 7 pm.

Nine Games & Two Streaks

Oilers 3 – Sharks 2

Senators 2 – Lightning 1

Avalanche 7 – Blue Jackets 3

Blues 5 – Penguins 4 The St Louis Blues have won 11 consecutive games.

Stars 5 – Predators 1

Kings 4 – Hockey Club 2

Canadiens 4 – Bruins 1 The Boston Bruins have lost 10 consecutive games.

Flames 4 – Ducks 1

Jets 4 – Knights 0

Last week’s answer: (8 Numbers) Hasek 39, Miller 30, Martin 7, Robert 14, Perreault 11, Gare 18, LaFontaine 16, and Horton 2

Besides Punch Imlach who also held the title of Head Coach for the Buffalo Sabres during the 1970s?

A) Billy Inglis

B) Marcel Pronovost

C) Joe Crozier

D) Floyd Smith