FINAL: BUF 1 CHI 5
SHOTS: BUF 26 CHI 37
POWER PLAY: BUF 0/4 CHI 0/3
HITS: BUF 19 CHI 5
BLOCKED SHOTS: BUF 11 CHI 12
GOALS:
CHI: Ryan Hartman (14) assisted by Tanner Kero (5) and Duncan Keith (36)
BUF: Evander Kane (21) assisted by Jack Eichel (20) and Rasmus Ristolainen (32)
CHI: Marian Hossa (21) assisted by Marcus Kruger (10) and Michal Kempny (6)
CHI: Jonathan Toews (14) assisted by Richard Panik (14) and Nick Schmaltz (7)
CHI: Artem Anisimov (21) assisted by Patrick Kane (40) and Artemi Panarin (33)
CHI: Patrick Kane (20) assisted by Artemi Panarin (34)
LINES:
Bailey-O’Reilly-Okposo
Kane-Eichel-Baptiste
Foligno-Rodrigues-Gionta
Moulson-Deslauriers-Ennis
McCabe-Ristolainen
Bogosian-Franson
Gorges-Kulikov
Lehner
Recap:
The Sabres have won 3 games in a row and looked to win 4 games in a row for the 1st time this season. The Sabres haven’t won 4 games in a row since their phony 10-3 stretch during the 2014-2015 tank. The Sabres have lost their last 10 games against Chicago. With a win tonight the Sabres would be tied with the Boston Bruins for the 2nd wildcard spot in the east as well as the Florida Panthers for 3rd place in the Atlantic Division. Robin Lehner would get the start tonight and he’s been absolutely fantastic for the last few weeks. Sam Reinhart is still out with the flu and he didn’t play tonight.
Robin Lehner made a couple big save early in the game to keep it scoreless.
Ryan Hartman ripped the puck over the shoulder of Robin Lehner and it went post in to give the Hawks the lead.
The Sabres had a long 5 on 3 power play but they weren’t able to capitalize on that 2 man advantage.
With just 5 seconds left in the 1st period, Jack Eichel made a no look backhand pass to Evander Kane who then beat Scott Darling for his 21st goal of the season. 20 of Kane’s 21 goals have come at even strength this season. Kane has 15 points in his last 14 games. The score would remain 1-1 going into the 2nd period.
Marian Hossa used Zach Bogosian as a screen and the puck beat Robin Lehner to give the bandwagon capital of the NHL the 2-1 lead.
Panik took a shot on Lehner, Lehner couldn’t cover it, and Toews put the rebound home to give the Hawks a 3-1 lead. Toews was left all alone in front of the net.
4 minutes into the 3rd period, Ryan O’Reilly turned the puck over, Panarin fed the puck to Patty Kane, Kane shot it, and Artem Anisimov redirected it past Lehner to make it 4-1 Chicago.
Minutes later, Patrick Kane was left alone and dangled the living daylights out of Robin Lehner and put it home 5-1 Hawks. Robin had no chance on that filthy play by Kane.
That was a tough loss for the Sabres but the they get a well deserved 5 day break for their bye week. They’re 2 points back of the Bruins and the Panthers as of right now but since they’re not playing for 5 days they will be even further back of a playoff spot.
