Sam Hitchcock: Sabres Stifle Lightning

Sabres were a but lucky last night, played well in the first, hung on for dear life in the 2nd and 3rd. It is nice to see us win one of those games, last 5 years would have been a totally different story.

The bolts will be just fine. You have an outstanding team and are no doubt a cup contender...

This is a well written and reasoned analysis. Nice work.

On the Sabres side, I think we have to give the coach some credit for figuring out a scheme to slow the Bolts down somewhat and pull out this win despite being overwhelmed at times. Hutton in goal also gets credit. He saved our butts.

Yeah the Sabres did some good work slowing down the attack in the neutral zone which means they executed their game plan at least in the 2nd period.

The third period seemed more like a 'hold on for dear life' kind of approach for the Sabres. Hutton and his goal posts saved the day.

Nice write up, good to get the oppositions perspective. Cheers!

Sabres are for real, and if they can maintain solid goaltending, then their near future looks very bright. Eichel is a stud.

Having said that, on paper the Lightning should beat the Sabres, and the Senators, and the Canucks. But, the Lightning seem to have a pattern of losing the games they are expected to win. This is a pattern that I hope will go away soon.

I liked what I saw out of Cernak last night. He's no Stralman though. LOL.

Domingue looked decent. He gave us a chance to win last night. I don't hang this loss on him.

Sabres are for real, and if they can maintain solid goaltending, then their near future looks very bright. Eichel is a stud.

Having said that, on paper the Lightning should beat the Sabres, and the Senators, and the Canucks. But, the Lightning seem to have a pattern of losing the games they are expected to win. This is a pattern that I hope will go away soon.

I liked what I saw out of Cernak last night. He's no Stralman though. LOL.

Domingue looked decent. He gave us a chance to win last night. I don't hang this loss on him.
- GalacticStone

Domingue's save on Reinhart last night was a beauty.
Buffalo was overwhelmed in the 3rd period but Hutton was the difference (and of course the goal posts). Really hoping the Sabres can continue winning close games like this. They are a playoff team if that pattern continues. Bolts should win the Atlantic, hard to see them not winning it.