FINAL: BUF 1 NJ 2
SHOTS: BUF 23 NJ 39
POWER PLAY: BUF 0/1 NJ 2/4
HITS: BUF 20 NJ 19
BLOCKED SHOTS: BUF 12 NJ 19
GOALS:
NJ: Adam Henrique (15) assisted by Mike Cammalleri (19)
BUF: Tyler Ennis (3) assisted by Justin Falk (5) and Josh Gorges (3)
NJ: Pavel Zacha (6) assisted by Mike Cammalleri (20) and Damon Severson (20)
Lines from tonight’s game
Moulson-O’Reilly-Okposo
Foligno-Eichel-Reinhart
Kane-Girgensons-Gionta
Bailey-Deslauriers-Ennis
Kulikov-Ristolainen
McCabe-Franson
Gorges-Falk
Lehner
Fedun was scratched
RECAP:
The Devils haven’t won a home game in their past 7 games so this was a great opportunity for Buffalo to keep up their good play as of late. The Sabres played a great game against the Ottawa Senators and they’re in a situation right now where they just need to pick up as many points as they can so they can stay in the playoff race.
Nic Deslauriers actually did something tonight. He stood up for Tyler Ennis after Devil’s forward and former Sabres development camp invitee Joey Blandisi took a run at Tyler Ennis. It didn’t take much effort from Deslauriers to take down Blandisi.
The Sabres had one power play in the 1st period because Evander Kane caught a high stick right in the face. It should’ve been a 5 on 3 power play because Jack Eichel was tripped up when he was skating into the Devils zone. The Sabres 1st power play was absolutely terrible. New Jersey had a few scoring chances while they were short-handed. And Jack Eichel was set up beautifully for the one-timer on the off wing but he decided to not shoot and make a pass which then led to a scoring chance by the Devils. The rest of the 1st period was just a typical boring New Jersey Devils style period.
Jake McCabe made yet another lethal hit. This time the victim was Jacob Josefson.
While the Devils were on the power play, Adam Henrique put the puck in front of the net and it deflected off of Cody Franson’s foot and into the net to give New Jersey the lead.
Zemgus Girgensons was hit hard by Karl Stollery and minutes later Girgensons returned the favor.
Robin Lehner made a huge spread eagle save on Joey Blandisi to preserve keep it a 1 goal game.
Late in the 2nd period, Lehner robbed Blandisi again to keep it a 1-0 game heading into the 3rd period.
After 9 minutes of very boring hockey in the 3rd period, Tyler Ennis was able to sneak the puck through Corey Schneider’s 5 hole off of a bad angle spin-o-rama shot to tie the game at 1.
Minutes after Ennis’ 3rd goal of the season, Marcus Foligno nearly gave Buffalo the 2-1 lead but he fired the puck off the post.
Evander Kane took another ill-timed penalty and on New Jersey’s power play Pavel Zacha scored his 6th goal of the season. Dan Bylsma did challenge the goal for goalie interference because it looked like Adam Henrique’s stick may have interfered with Robin Lehner’s glove on the play but after the review, it was determined that it was indeed a good goal.
This was just another stereotypical New Jersey Devils game. The Sabres will face the San Jose Sharks in Buffalo tomorrow night.
