Vanek Buries The Coyotes

You wondered if anyone would ever score after the first two periods, despite Buffalo pouring on shot after shot. But the Sabres rallied shortly after Matthew Lombardi broke the stalemate. Tyler Myers fed Clarke MacArthur for the tying goal just a few minutes later (all of this in the third) for the Tall Guy’s first NHL point. Myers played 20 strong minutes. Thomas Vanek drew a penalty, then had the go-ahead goal late in the third on a tic-tac-toe play from Roy to MacArthur to Vanek 10 feet in front of LaBarbera.

Things were rough most of the night (you can tell when the majority of the penalties are Roughing, Fighting, Instigator, Cross-Checking, etc) but things really got test just after the second period got underway. Petr Prucha had his back to the play and passed the puck…and turned RIGHT into The Kaleta who absolutely leveled him. Martin Hanzal came in to fight after that, and gave Buffalo a 4 minute power play. They didn’t score on that or any of the first 6 PP chances, although they didn’t look terrible, just like they needed more practice. They ARE breaking in some new point men after all.

Ryan Miller wasn’t tested as much as LaBarbera, but man did he make some sick saves. His glove was quick and I don’t recall any bad rebounds. The reunited Grier-Gaustad-Hecht line made some dynamite defensive plays and created some havoc with their size in the offensive zone as well. If this means Hecht is back to his ol’ self, I’m all for it.

Buffalo travels to Nashville for a Saturday night game (8pm start, make a note).