The Buffalo Sabres demonstrated their power-play effectiveness, with Jeff Skinner significantly contributing to their victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Skinner assisted on Casey Mittelstadt's goal and scored one himself, both on power plays, to give the Sabres a 2-0 lead in the second period. Joel Armia narrowed the gap for the Canadiens, making it 2-1. By the end of the second period, the Sabres led in shots on goal, 27-21. Skinner's second goal of the game, his 17th of the season, came with 13:14 left in the third period, followed by Jack Quinn's goal, and Rasmus Dahlin's empty-net goal at 2:35 left, cementing a 6-1 victory. Tage Thompson also scored with 1:28 left in the third period. The Sabres have been strong in the third period this season, ranking second in the NHL for third-period goals. In another match, the Sabres beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1, with Alex Tuch scoring the first goal at 2:53. Against the Seattle Kraken, Jeff Skinner scored his 17th goal of the season, but the Sabres faced a comeback from the Kraken, who led 2-1 after the first period. The teams exchanged goals in the second period, with Tuch tying the game 2-2 only 50 seconds in, but the Kraken regained the lead 3-2 and extended it to 4-2 with Jaden Schwartz scoring at 11:34 of the 2nd period.
Yeah that Jaden Schwartz fella might help this team. A goal and an assist this period for Schwartz after he bats incoming shot out of mid-air at net front to put #SEAKraken up 4-2 at 11:34 of 2nd period. #NHL https://t.co/6TWeYBeYRl
I've lost count at how many times Jaden Schwartz works on deflections in practice. Welcome back #17. #SeaKraken
#Sabres with another turnover in the neutral zone and Schwartz tips home point shot from old friend Will Borgen. #SeaKraken lead 4-2 with 8:26 left in the 2nd period. And now you're in real trouble against this team. SEA has given up 6 goals in last 6 games. You need 5 to win.
Sabres turn it over and Schwartz tips in Borgen's shot, 4-2 Sea.
Jaden Schwartz puts the Kraken up 4-2 11:34 into the second period. Will Borgen gets an assist.
4-2 Jaden Schwartz redirects Will Borgen's point shot.
Both coaches got in the locker room in the first intermission and said "Enough of this, boys." Shots were 19-15 for BUF in the first. It's 3-1 in 2nd through seven minutes. #Sabres #SeaKraken
And before you can say “Why bother covering that guy?” Alex Wennberg is sent in alone by Schwartz and puts backhand deke on Levi for 3-2 #SEAKraken lead just 18 seconds after tying goal. If your kid plays D, might want to change the channel or put a parental block on TV. #NHL https://t.co/ee9AiTaZLQ
3-2 #SeaKraken get a 2-on-1 thanks to Tanev taking Dahlin out of the play and Wennberg goes forehand -> backhand to beat Levi. Schwartz in his first game back with the perfect pass to set up the chance. https://t.co/PKzRYvmQco
3-2 Kraken Wennberg gets in alone after a defensive breakdown
Alex Wennberg, 3-2 #LetsGoBuffalo #SeaKraken https://t.co/F9vd96Unrq
Wenneberg gets in alone after a Dahlin pinch and leaks a backhand through Levi...#SeaKraken back in front over #Sabres 3-2 at 2:08 of the 2nd.
Alex Wennberg scores at 2:08. Massive defensive breakdown gave him a breakaway.
Welcome back Jaden Schwartz. What a pass to Wennberg. Bang.
Wennberg gets behind the defense and it's 3-2 Sea.
Casey Mittelstadt, Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner each have 2 points since Granato made the change. Skinner and Tuch have the Sabres' goals tonight. https://t.co/InXU77XLPC
Alex Tuch zooms to the net and redirects a pass in 50 seconds into the second period.
The Sabres tie it. Alex Tuch with a perfect redirect of a Jeff Skinner pass to beat Joey Daccord only 50 seconds into the second period. It's 2-2. Tuch's 11th goal of the season.
Tuch -- who is really flying tonight -- streaks to the net and tips home a Skinner pass. Mittelstadt with secondary assist for his second point. #Sabres tie it 2-2 just 50 seconds into the 2nd period.
Sabres get it back immediately. Good breakout, Tuch goes to the net and redirects a Skinner pass, 2-2.
Sabres down 2-1 but outshooting the Kraken 19-15. Poor finish for the Sabres after dominating early.
After 20: Kraken lead the Sabres 2-1. Shots on goal are 19-15 for Buffalo.
End-1st: #SeaKraken lead #Sabres 2-1. Shots were 19-15 for Buffalo, which had control for the first 13 minutes. Couldn't get the two-goal lead and the visitors then got nine of the last 11 shots and two goals.
A sloppy breakout leads to the Kraken scoring the tying goal. Yanni Gourde gets to the puck around the Sabres' crease. It's 1-1 with 6:05 left in the 1st period. We'll see if it becomes a momentum-killer.
Kraken tie it. Sabres with a turnover in their own end. Levi makes the first two saves but Yanni Gourde is quick on a rebound in the crease.
The Sabres have 15 shots on goal less than halfway through the first period.
#Sabres are 13-2-1 this year when scoring first. #SeaKraken are 5-9-5 when opponent scores first.
Sabres outshooting the Kraken 8-3 early.
1-0 Sabres Jeff Skinner's patience pays off for his 17th goal of the season. He held the puck to wait until Daccord was out of position. Good job by Tuch down low. Mittelstadt with the faceoff win and primary assist.
Penguins take a 3-1 lead at 8:07. #PITvsPHI
Penguins score to make it 3-1.
Sabres win 3-1.
#Sabres are getting two penalties here. Yeesh. Slashing on Girgensons and interference on Clifton. #Pens get a full 5 on 3 with 14:03 left.
Penguins getting a two-minute two-man advantage 5:57 into the third.
Sabres up 1-0 after two periods. Pens have a 28-22 shot advantage.
Guentzel breakaway from Crosby. Save. UPL is 25 for 25. #Sabres #Pens
After 20: Sabres lead the Penguins 1-0. Shots on goal are 17-8 for Pittsburgh.
Sabres up 1-0 after one period. Pens have a 17-8 shot advantage.
O'Connor scores as #Pens really pressing. And just wait until you see the ridiculous backhand feed by Crosby. Good lord. 1-1 at 15:50. #Sabres
Crosby in alone. UPL save. Shots are 8-2 for #Pens through 5 1/2 minutes but the goalie has been sharp and his team has staked him to a 1-0 lead. #Sabres
Alex Tuch opens the scoring at 2:53 on the Sabres' second shot.
Skinner sent in by Thompson. Wide. And the puck comes back down and Tuch scores. Great pass by Clifton. All kinds of open ice. #Sabres lead 1-0 at 2:53.
#Sabres second in the NHL with 50 third-period goals and fourth with a plus-14 differential in the period.
And Tage Thompson scores on an assist from Jeff Skinner (who else?) as Sabres go up 6-1 on #Habs with 1:28 left in third period. #HabsIO
5-1 Sabres Rasmus Dahlin with the empty-net goal off a defensive-zone faceoff win.
4-1 Sabres Jeff Skinner's second goal of the game and 17th of the season caps a stellar shift by the top line. No one on the Canadiens was in front of the net to stop him from stickhandling around Allen.
3-1 Sabres Jack Quinn goes off the post and in with 13:14 left in the third period. Huge goal. His fourth in seven games this season.
Sabres go up 3-1 on #Habs with 13:14 left in third period. #HabsIO
After 40: Sabres lead the Canadiens 2-1 and are up 27-21 in shots on goal.
Great goal by Joel Armia as #Habs cut Sabres lead to 2-1. First stealing the puck and then a wicked shot. Too bad he doesn't do this more often. #HabsIO
Jeff Skinner makes it two PP goals in a row for the Sabres. Side note: It feels like Jeff Skinner has scored in every single game he's ever played against the Canadiens.
Another power-play goal. Yes, you're reading that right. This time it's Skinner, lifts one under the crossbar. 2-0 Sabres
2-0 Sabres Another power-play goal. Jeff Skinner from Alex Tuch with 13:01 left in the 2nd period.
Sabres score a second power-play goal to go up 2-0 on #Habs with 13:01 left in second period #HabsIO
1-0 Sabres. Skinner feeds Mittelstadt with cross-ice pass down low and Mittelstadt makes no mistake.
1-0 Sabres. Casey Mittelstadt from Jeff Skinner on the power play with 14:27 left in the 2nd period. Great job by Mittelstadt to crash the net once Skinner got the puck down low.