BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — For the first time since January 16th, the Buffalo Sabres are back in the win column after topping the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in overtime on Saturday afternoon. Jack Eichel scored the game-winning goal while Carter Hutton, making his second straight start, stopped 22 of 23 shots. The Sabres will be back at home Tuesday when they host the Colorado Avalanche.
4 Observations from today's game
Snapping the streak
The most obvious thing to come out of today's game was the fact that the Sabres snapped their losing streak. Grabbing two points today was necessary considering the team started their nine-of-ten game homestand with two straight losses and zero points. This stretch is crucial for a team that's on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason and every point from here on out is necessary as we reach the under-30 games to go mark on the regular season schedule.
No snapped sticks today
Two nights ago following the team's loss to Montreal, Captain Jack Eichel snapped his stick in frustration. Today, he responded by scoring the team's game-winner in overtime and help snap the team's losing streak. Eichel and his line took time when the extra period began and that patience paid off. They controlled the puck from the faceoff won by Curtis Lazar, all the way to the first and only shot they had to take. Eichel, by the way, now has 31 goals on the season.
Swede move by the Swede boy
Raise your hand if you thought Evan Rodrigues would score the first goal of the game. You have to give Rodrigues credit for shooting when he did and not hesitating, but that goal was also made possible thanks to Rasmus Dahlin and his ability to find guys at the right time. You can watch the assist below which involved a move as smooth as silk to find E-Rod at the perfect time, and record his 8th assist in the last ten games.
Quick work by E-Rod 🙌#Sabres50 | @evanr17 pic.twitter.com/3Qlea7Z2Vi
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) February 1, 2020
Good for Hutton
For the first time since October 22nd, Carter Hutton picked up a win between the pipes. It's been an up and down season for the Sabres goalie, especially since he began the season with six straight wins. Hutton hasn't seen too much action since Linus Ullmark has been playing fairly well but now, Hutton is the team's go-to guy as Ullmark sits with a lower body injury that has him sidelined for a few weeks. Hutton played well today and it was good to see him finally get a win after a long stretch of losses.
