5 Observations: Sabres win eighth straight, top Canadiens 3-2 in OT

Just when we thought the Buffalo Sabres win-streak was about to come to an end, Jeff Skinner sent KeyBank Center into a frenzy. With just 2:26 left on the clock, Skinner scored his 16th goal of the season to tie things at two. Just minutes later in overtime, Skinner scored his 17th, giving the Sabres their eighth consecutive win, knocking off the Montreal Canadiens 3-2. With the win, the Sabres improve to 15-6-2 on the season.

This team is special.

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) November 23, 2018

Five observations from Friday's win:

Pay the man

After his goal in overtime, Sabres Hall of Fame play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret howled "Jeff Skinner, you are on fire!" 

That may be putting it lightly.

Skinner has been everything the Sabres were hoping for and then some. With his 17 goals on the season, Skinner shares the league lead for goals with 17 [as of 7:30 p.m.]. After the game, he was asked: Is this the hottest you've been in the NHL? 

Question: Is this the hottest you've been in the NHL?

Jeff Skinner:#Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/BSctEseu0Y

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) November 24, 2018

Just look at the numbers

The Buffalo Sabres haven't lost a game in regulation when they've scored first. Thanks to their comeback against Montreal, Buffalo is now 10-0-2 this season when they open the scoring. For as great as they've been when playing from behind, they at least to this point have been dominant when they get going early. 

#Sabres captain Jack Eichel on the eight-game win-streak @WKBW pic.twitter.com/mSyIHRaW9o

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) November 24, 2018

Huge night for Hutton 

Once again, Carter Hutton was lights out for the Sabres. If it weren't for the big save Hutton made on Brendan Gallagher in the final minute of the game, the Sabres streak would've been snapped at seven. Hutton turned away 31 of Montreal's 33 shots and has now won seven straight games. 

Carter Hutton was asked about his current seven-game win streak. To be expected, he said he's trying to take it one game at a time because when he starts looking at the big picture he knows he'll pay the price #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/TbEResP3QO

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) November 24, 2018

Confidence building

Tage Thompson has been pretty impressive in a secondary role since scoring his first goal of the season earlier in the week against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite failing to score and ending his goal streak at two-games, Thompson made really nice plays at both ends of the ice. His prettiest came in the second period, when he danced around Jeff Petry, only to run out of the room before he had a chance to try and put it home. If you've followed along on Twitter during the season -- you've probably seen me criticize the decision to have Thompson in the lineup over guys like Evan Rodrigues. But in the last three games, he's been very solid and appears to be turning a corner. 

Better every game

And speaking of players who have turned a corner -- it's fun watching Casey Mittelstadt gain confidence as the season moves along. On Friday afternoon the rookie center scored his fourth goal of the season, giving him eight points in 23 games. Like many of you, I thought he'd have a bigger impact offensively in the first month and a half of the season. But it's important to remember, he turned 20-years-old on Thanksgiving and has only played 29 games in the NHL.  His creativity and talent are evident whenever you watch him play. He's getting better every game and that's all you can ask for from a player who was a freshman in college at this point last season. 
 

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