Jake McCabe also picked up an assist on the score that tied the game 2-2 with just over six minutes to go in the third period. Reinhart is aiming to break on to the roster and make a splash in his rookie year while veteran Matt Moulson is expected to rebound after his worst season yet. He’ll have his best chance to do so in Buffalo. But with linemates Eichel and Girgensons he certainly knows what to do.
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“I think Jack’s got extremely raw talent, and the NHL’s a fast-paced, structured game”, top-line winger Tyler Ennis said.
Minnesota scored the first and third goals in the back-and-forth game, meaning Eichel’s goal was the first – and only – time the Sabres had the lead. The Sabres not only have new players, they have talented ones.
Eichel and another skill player, defenseman Cody Franson, joined Johan Larsson and Mike Weber for a defensive zone draw.
“You get what you earn”, Lehner said. He then calmly slotted the puck home, in between the legs of Wild goaltender Darcy Kuemper. He stopped 16 of the 19 shots he faced. As consolations prizes go, the Sabres landed a player with the potential to make an immediate impact in Eichel, who was drafted second overall behind Connor McDavid. It was yet another case of players going to the net as Deslauriers jumped on a juicy rebound.
“I’ll take 20 of those off the feed from Jack”. There’s reason to assume that Lehner has continued to develop, as he is now 24-years-old, and is now close to entering his prime, but if he doesn’t give the team league average goaltending, it’s going to be very hard for Buffalo to put together a competitive season. We certainly have made a lot of improvements, but we acknowledge that we have a lot of questions. Parise scored the only goal with eight seconds left in overtime. “But I’ll be completely watching our (team’s) game”.
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Through free agency, the Wild lost former Buffalo Sabres forward Chris Stewart, who signed with the Anaheim Ducks, as well as Kyle Brodziak, who signed with the St. Louis Blues. It’s something Pysyk, a defensive defenseman with decent offensive acumen, has been doing throughout his hockey career. The Sabres deployed their shiny new toy to their benefit, as they were able to beat the Wild in regulation on a goal and assist from the rookie.
