The record has been tied. 18 straight losses ties the longest losing streak in NHL history.
This one looked a little different than the prior ones, and so maybe it was a little more painful. Buffalo held a 3-0 lead with just over 18 minutes left in the game. Philadelphia rattled off 3 goals in the third period, including the game tying goal with a minute and a half remaining from Couturier. Provorov ended the contest less than a minute into OT for the Flyers.
It really felt like this was the one, didn’t it? The Sabres started strong and it wasn’t just on the scoreboard. Despite the 3-0 lead, Buffalo actually looked like the better team for the first two periods of the game.
Jokiharju, Eakin, and Montour put the Sabres up 3-0 after a goal each. Kyle Okposo also picked up an assist tonight, which brings him to 4 points in his last 4 games. Ullmark looked solid through two periods tonight, but obviously squandered any positives during the third period.
Goals
1-0 BUF – Jokiharju
2-0 BUF – Eakin
3-0 BUF – Montour
3-1 PHI – Hayes
3-2 PHI – Giroux
3-3 PHI – Couturier
4-3 PHI – Provorov
Dylan Cozens Injury
Cozens left the game injured in the first period after a hit along the sideboards from Phil Myers. The hit looks almost harmless but definitely bothered Cozens in some way. It’s unknown what the injury might be at this time.
Standout Performances
Mittelstadt, Thompson, Dahlin
- Mittelstadt centered Hall and Thompson on the second line tonight. He looked engaged while on the ice and found some success in generating opportunities for the Sabres, regardless of being held off the scoresheet and being on the ice for the game winning goal in overtime.
- Thompson had one of his better games of the season tonight. He was rewarded with an assist on the Montour goal. Although, what I liked seeing the most tonight was Tage unafraid to shoot the puck. He was second on the team with 5 shots on goal, only behind Olofsson who had 6. Thompson also showed good offensive awareness finding his way in between a few Flyers defenders about 5 minutes into the second period. Hall swung a pass out in front from the right corner which found Thompson and generated a good scoring opportunity for Buffalo. Tage also had a nifty toe drag deke and brought the puck to the front of the net about midway through the second which also generated a good opportunity for the Sabres.
- Dahlin brought some good with the bad tonight. Midway through the first period he had a beautiful zone exit pass to Eakin which led to a 2 on 1 and shot opportunity from Rieder. Unfortunately, immediately after this sequence, Dahlin had a bad pass which was picked off in his own zone at the blue line leading to a scoring opportunity for Philadelphia. Rasmus boasted a 69.22 xGF% tonight across his 13 and a half minutes on ice tonight.
Brian Elliott
With the win tonight, Brian Elliott moves to 4-0 on the season against the Sabres with a 1.40 GAA, a .951 SV%, and 2 shutouts. Tonight was also Elliott’s 250th career NHL victory.
Looking Ahead
Buffalo will take on the Flyers again on Wednesday. If Buffalo gets a loss in that game, they will hold the record for longest losing streak in NHL history. The trade deadline is also fast approaching and we can see some changes coming from Adams.
