In the close race for Eastern Conference wildcards, the Buffalo Sabers scored an important win on Friday. They defeated the Florida Panthers, a direct contender for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, in a 3-1 away win at the FLA Live Arena.
“It was a big win for us, two important wins in a row,” said a delighted striker Jeff Skinner. Buffalo had won 6-5 in overtime at the Tampa Bay Lightning the day before. “To have had such an emotional win yesterday and now to be able to follow up once morest a really good team means we’re playing really well and working hard. Hopefully that gives us confidence because we need that level down the stretch and we show it every night must.”
Video: BUF@FLA: Skinner scores his 600th point with a goal
The team owed their triumph once morest the Panthers above all to the oldest player in the league. The 41-year-old goalkeeper Craig Anderson made 53 saves, becoming the oldest goalie to stop at least 50 shots in a game. Only once in his career was he able to make as many saves, when he played for Florida of all places in 2008. Only two goaltenders have recorded more saves in a game in Sabers franchise history, Joe Daley in 1970 and the legendary Dominik Hasek in 1996.
“At some point you just focus on the next save, the next shot and it doesn’t matter what the clock says,” Anderson said. “It was my best game in a long time, I haven’t been that strong mentally or that focused for a long time. It’s always difficult to stay in the moment and tonight was a night where I managed that.”
In the first third, the Sabers still had a slight advantage with 14:11 shots on goal, but there weren’t any goals. In the second half of the game, Florida took over the helm with 16:9 degrees, but the goals came for the guests. Skinner (24th) made it 1-0, Alex cloth (29th) followed up. In the final section sat down Carter Verhaeghe (49.) as the only player through once morest Anderson. Skinner (51st) secured the win though. In the final 20 minutes alone, Anderson was tested with 27 shots.
“Outstanding,” enthused Sabers coach Don Granato of his goalie. “He made it look easy too. He reads the game well, sees through the shooters and, of course, knows how we play and how they play, what’s coming. You can see his calm as a result. He’s calm throughout the game on air and was very efficient with his saves. It was a memorable game for him.”
But Anderson wasn’t the only player who had a special night or made his contribution. Skinner’s second goal was the 600th point (322 goals, 278 points) of his NHL career. Instead of talking regarding this milestone, however, he preferred to introduce his teammates Tage Thompson into the limelight, who set up all three of the Sabers’ goals.
“He’s a dominant player,” the double scorer praised the preparer. Thompson had a hat-trick in the win once morest Tampa the night before and is the Sabers’ top scorer and leading scorer with 78 points (39 goals, 39 assists). Only four players in the league have more points than the 1.98 meter tall giant. “He draws a lot of attention with his size and his ability to attract players, especially with his haul. That creates space for us, his teammates. He has passing stations and he’s very good at getting the puck to us bring.”
Video: BUF 3, FLA 1
The result once morest Florida was particularly important given the table situation. Friday’s two points increased their tally to 64 points in 57 games (30-23-4) and captured the second wild card in the East. Behind them are the Detroit Red Wings and Panthers, tied on points. The Pittsburgh Penguins follow with 63 points, the Washington Capitals with 62. The race for the playoff participation in the East is hard to beat in terms of tension and will probably remain tight for a long time to come. However, with four wins from their last five games, the Sabers put themselves in a good position.
The next duel once morest a direct competitor is on Sunday when the Washington Capitals visit Buffalo (1 pm ET; NHL.tv; 7 pm CET). The Panthers are on hiatus until Tuesday before taking on the Lightning in the Florida derby (7pm ET; NHL.tv; Wed 1am ET).