5 Observations: Sabres win with 0.2 seconds left, top Red Wings 3-2 in OT

With only 0.2 seconds left on the clock, Marco Scandella gave the Buffalo Sabres a very rare overtime win, knocking off the Detroit Red Wings 3-2. Rasmus Ristolainen and Evander Kane also scored for the Sabres, who improve to 18-32-11. 

Outstanding play by Reinhart to keep that puck in. Angry Larry redeems himself with the pretty drop pass to Scandella. #Sabres win in OT. Hmmm.

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 23, 2018

Five observations from Thursday's win:

Larry giveth, Larry taketh

Johan Larsson has spent a lot of time in the penalty box lately. On Thursday he found himself in the sin bin once again at the worst possible time and the Red Wings took advantage, tying the game with just 1:25 left in regulation.

Johan Larsson penalty

*drink*

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 23, 2018

Luckily for Larsson, he redeemed himself in overtime with a pretty drop pass to Scandella who fired a shot past Jimmy Howard. I'm not quite sure why Larsson didn't shoot the puck instead of passing it but it certainly worked out. Larsson actually finished with two assists and now has 12 points on the season in 59 games. There is no excusing the bad penalty but at least he made up for it. 

Four

This was only the Sabres fourth overtime win this season. They are now 4-11 when games go to extra time and despite the outcome, you'd be hard-pressed to find somebody who didn't enjoy the nearly full five minutes of three-on-three. We watched both goalies make huge saves, back and forth play and a ton of chances. Who knew, overtime can be fun! 

Last game as a Sabre? 

With the trade deadline lurking the Sabres could [and should] choose to sit some of the players that might be dealt before Monday. The Rangers, for example, sat both Rick Nash and Michael Grabner on Thursday as a precaution to ensure that both are healthy for Monday's deadline. 

When asked if the team would consider sitting players in the next few games Phil Housley told WGR 550's Paul Hamilton "Jason [Botterill] is going to do what's best for this organization and if we get to that point, he'll let me know."

After scoring his 20th goal of the season on Thursday, I wouldn't be surprised if the Sabres gave Kane a few days off this weekend just to make sure he doesn't get hurt. It's all about risk-reward and with Kane on the ice this weekend there really isn't any reward, just potential risk. 

Playing angry 

Rasmus Ristolainen hasn't had a great few weeks but against the Red Wings, he was solid at both ends of the ice.....until the final two minutes when Detroit tied the game.

Glass half full: 

If you look at the box score you'll see his first-period goal but from start to finish Ristolainen was physical and made his presence felt. Like so many players, when Ristolainen is throwing his body around and jumping into the rush he's effective and on Thursday that was the case. 

Glass half empty: 

Ristolainen needs to do a better job picking up that play after the lost faceoff. Both Girgensons and Ristolainen went to Frans Nielsen, allowing Justin Abdelkader a tap-in. 

Sneakily effective 

It's hard not to like what Scott Wilson brings to the table. Against his former team, he created a few solid chances from the third line, something that hasn't happened much this season. 

Wilson has been a very pleasant surprise and is making his case to earn a new contract this summer. He'll likely never be a flashy player that puts up huge numbers but he's versatile and can play up and down the lineup in almost every situation.