The Buffalo Sabres remain the feel-good story of the NHL season. Entering the night, they were tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Atlantic Division lead, jockeying back and forth with the established contenders as they carve out their own spot in the hierarchy.
As they tinker with their defensive group, the Sabres have had some ups and downs. On Tuesday, they had a fun back-and-forth game with the New York Islanders, culminating in a big 4-3 win that leaves them at the top of the standings once again.
Peyton Krebs Steps Up
There are a few guys that have stepped up and taken on bigger roles for the Sabres this season. One of the more critical if underrated pieces has been Peyton Krebs. He scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period that ultimately propelled the Sabres to the win.
That goal really underscores his contributions this season. He has set career-highs across the board, not looking out of place on the top line between Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. He is the sparkplug that allows their skill to shine through.
Krebs has been a standout regardless of where in the lineup he plays. Whether it be on the top line or the fourth, Krebs has shown great energy, tenacity, skill, and versatility. He will undoubtedly be one of the most critical players for the Sabres when the playoffs begin.
So Long, Sam Carrick
Sam Carrick is easily the best trade deadline acquisition, one of a few the Sabres made. He has played with excellent energy, he plays physically and has shown a willingness to drop the gloves. That was evident again on Tuesday as he stepped up and fought Islanders captain Anders Lee.
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Unfortunately, he had an awkward fall at the end of the fight and appears to have injured his elbow. The prognosis isn’t positive, and the fear is that he may be gone for the remainder of the season.
That would be a significant blow for the Sabres given how well he has played with Beck Malenstyn on the fourth line. It is nice to see that the Sabres won’t be pushed around, it is just a shame that it came at such a significant cost.
A Historic Night
What a night for the Buffalo Sabres. For starters, the win puts them at 100 points for the first time since the 2009-10 season. They will undoubtedly add to the total, which would give them the most in a season since they won the 2006-07 Presidents Trophy with 113 points.
It also happened to be the 2,000th win in franchise history, a nice combination with the 100-point mark. It feels like a reward for the long-suffering fan base that stuck through it all over the past 14 seasons.
It has been talked about a lot, but this team feels a lot like the 2005-06 group. If only Rick Jeanneret were still around to be calling these games, it would have us all feeling like we were in a time machine.
A Resilient Effort
The Sabres have moved from “underdog” to “favorites” but one thing continues to stand out above all else. In the past, the goal by Lee that tied the game at 2-2 with 6:21 left would have taken all the air out of their sails and probably led to a collapse.
The Sabres instead battled right back, scoring the go-ahead goal 3:20 later. It has been a key characteristic of this team all season long. When adversity arises, the Sabres elevate their game. In the toughest atmosphere of all – the playoffs – that is a trait that can make all the difference in the world.
