The game was set, and on paper it looked to be a relatively easy game to win for the Buffalo Sabres. Columbus was coming off a beat-down at the hands of Phoenix and was looking to turn the ship around in Buffalo. The return of goaltender Pascal Leclaire was sure to pick up the Jackets' spirit as well.
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has been less than pleased with his team's defense, plus the quality scoring chances that have resulted off turnovers. After a healthy skate Thursday and Friday, the Sabres were ready to show their coach that they understood the message he was trying to send his players. Well, that didn't happen.
Tonight, Buffalo was again out-shot, out-hit, out-worked, and most importantly out-scored to the tune of 6-1. The goals started early and came often for Columbus.
- B/R Ticket Guide
R.J. Umberger, a favorite of Buffalo fans, got the Jackets off to a great start five minutes into the first period thanks to a lousy and sloppy shift change by the Sabres. Less than two minutes later Buffalo was burned once again by the likes of Mike Peca to give the Jackets a 2-0 lead.
However, they were far from done. Rookie Derek Brassard kept his hot play going, beating goaltender Patrick Lalime to give Columbus a 3-0 lead in the first break.
The second period action was plenty. If you're a Blue Jackets fan, Manny Malhotra put this game out of reach for Buffalo after a terrible give-away by goaltender Patrick Lalime.
Buffalo would save a bit of face in the second with what seemed to be a continuous powerplay for the Sabres (two of which were five on three). This netted Buffalo their only goal of the evening, as Jason Pominville beat Leclaire on a one-timer from the right side of the net.
The third period was once more all Columbus as they poured it on again. R.J. Umberger netted his second of the night six minutes in to regain a four-goal lead. Rick Nash got off the goal-scoring slump and netted his seventh of the year one and a half minutes later. The final score was 6-1.
Buffalo will once again try to redeem themselves Saturday night, as they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins.
comments (0) write a comment »
write a new comment
This article has no comments.