Recap: Buffalo vs. Winnipeg

Recap

1st Period:

There wasn't a ton of action in the first period, but it was still exciting to watch. The period came to a close with the Sabres registering ten shots compared to the Jets' 11. The Sabres came out strong in the first few shifts, setting up shop in the Winnipeg end. After that, the game went back and forth. Buffalo was given a power play early but failed to capitalize, except on a Thomas Vanek injury - courtesy of a very hard Tyler Myers slapshot. The Jets missed their power play opportunity later in the period as well. Jhonas Enroth didn't see anything too dangerous, aside from his "hooking" penalty and a shot off the post halfway through the period. Sidenote to that penalty: Evander Kane is speedy. Seriously. Ondrej Pavelec made two tremendous glove saves the keep the Sabres off the board (at 10:58 and 7:38).

2nd Period:

The second period was much more exciting. Altogether, 53 shots had been taken by the end of the period, 24 by Buffalo and 29 from Winnipeg. Buffalo capitalized on one of their three power play chances halfway through the period. The tally came after some fantastic puck movement. Pominville's hockey sense is by far the best on the team. With 7:42 left, Pavelec made a phenomenal save on Jochen Hecht that kept Winnipeg within striking distance. The chance followed an awful turnover by the Jets in their own zone. It's important to note the save because with four seconds left in the period, Blake Wheeler tied the game on a 5-on-3 power play - great puck movement in that sequence as well. The 5-on-3 was a result of an illegal stick penatly by Jordan Leopold. Thomas Vanek was already in the box for hooking at that point.

Sidenote - Brayden McNabb made a few genius breakout passes, dominated the PK and fended off Nik Antropov 1-on-1. Not bad.

3rd Period:

The Jets started the period on the power play but couldn't produce. Four minutes into the third, Pavelec stoned Jason Pominville on the doorstep. This was another crucial moment that ultimately made a game-changing difference. With 1:45 left in the game Ville Leino scraped the puck off of Pavelec's pad and pushed it over the goal line. Boos immediately followed exuberant cheers as the goal was waived off. The whistle had already blown. The game went into a brief, one-minute overtime that finished with Johnny Oduya putting a wrist shot over Enroth's glove.

Overall, the Sabres played a much better game tonight than last night. There were fewer turnovers and odd-man rushes for the other team. The Sabres however, failed to finish on a couple good chances throughout the game. Scoring chances were passed up in favor of unnecessary setups, nets were missed and rules were forgotten.

My three stars:

1. Ondrej Pavalec

2. Brayden McNabb

3. Jhonas Enroth

Quotes from Lindy Ruff's press conference:

- "Those breaks go against you. You get some, you don't get 'em. We had opportunities though."

- "I didn't think we had very good net presence on some shots from the point."

- "The decision [to start Enroth] is just the schedule - six games in nine nights."

- "He's [Myers] been a big plus for us."

The Sabres next tilt is Tuesday in Toronto and they desperately need a win, especially against a division rival.