Sabres Weather Storm, Beat Sharks

It’s almost impossible to explain, as the San Jose Sharks are perennially one of the NHL’s better teams.  They’ve made the playoffs 10 straight seasons, including the Western conference finals three times.

Fortunately for them, they play the Buffalo Sabres but twice per season.

The Sabres may be viewed as a laughingstock these days, but when facing San Jose the league’s cellar dweller suddenly turns into a juggernaut. The 4-1 Buffalo win Tuesday night at the First Niagara Center was the Sabres eighth straight over the Sharks and perhaps even more incredibly, improved to 16-1 all-time at home against them.

Due to a massive snowstorm that engulfed the southern part of Western New York and forced several driving bans in the Southtowns, only an announced crowd of around 6,200 saw the Sabres win a second straight contest for the first time this season.  Prior to the game the Sabres front office did right by their fans; offering anyone with tickets that couldn’t get to the arena exchange their seats for a future contest.

Those in attendance, which didn’t include Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta, stuck in Angola due to the inclement weather saw Nicolas Deslauriers, Brian Gionta (his first of the season) and Brian Flynn score second period goals as Buffalo opened up a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

Michael Neuvirth got the start in net for Buffalo and stopped all 10 San Jose shots in the first period, but was injured on a collision with teammate Tyler Ennis and left after the first.  Jhonas Enroth replaced him to begin the second and stopped 19 of San Jose’s 20 shots over the final two periods.

Patrick Marleau thought he cut the deficit to 3-2 with 4:44 in regulation when he trickled a shot past Enroth, but upon instant replay it was determined Sabres forward Matt Moulson swiped the puck away before it completely crossed the goal line.

Gionta ended any San Jose comeback threat via an empty netter with 41.1 seconds left.  The captain also assisted on Flynn’s goal to finish with a three point night. He also had a plus-three rating, as did forward Torrey Mitchell.

The only Buffalo fans disappointed Tuesday were the significant contingent rooting for them to lose in order of improving their chances at drafting Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.  Buffalo’s now just one point clear of Columbus and Carolina in the race for the league’s fewest points.

San Jose surely can’t wait to get back home.  This marked their finale of a seven-game road trip over 12 nights, and the Sharks set a NHL record by playing 16 of their first 21 games on the road.

With their lack of success against Buffalo, they’re equally happy to not see the Sabres on the schedule again this season.