BUFFALO, NY – In a season of firsts and bests, the Vegas Golden Knights added another notch on the lance with a 2-1 win over the Sabres Saturday in a shootout.
It was the Knights’ 20th road win of the campaign and it passed the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for the new record for an expansion team.
Deryk Engelland scored in regulation for Vegas to tie the game after the Sabres had taken an early 1-0 lead.
“It was huge for us,” Engelland said. “It’s been right from Day One we’ve tried to play that way (hard on the road). It wasn’t pretty tonight, but we got the win somehow. Our goalie stood on his head for most of the night and you’ve got to grind some out that way. But we’ve got to keep the same thing and not look too far ahead of us.”
Marc-Andre Fleury made 31 saves as the Knights moved to 44-19-5.
“[Fleury] was great. He was the key for us getting the chance to have some opportunity to win that hockey game today,” Vegas head coach Gerard Gallant said. “So, he’s definitely a big part of our group and he probably won us a hockey game today, for sure.”
Justin Bailey scored to give the Sabres the early lead as they continue to prove a tougher opponent than just a few weeks ago.
“When you look at our lineup versus their lineup, I think our guys are doing a terrific job, guys that are stepping in,” Sabres head coach Phil Housley said. “But we had an opportunity to close that game out with 4-1/2 minutes to go, and those are areas we have to learn as we move forward. It’s a simple battle and we can’t lose inside position.”
Erik Haula was credited with the game-winning goal in the shootout.
[WATCH:Â All Golden Knights vs. Sabres highlights]
Robin Lehner made 33 saves in taking the loss and really should sue the forward lines for lack of offensive support.
“I think the guys played a [heck] of a hockey game today. I think we played well against one of the better teams. I think they played well too. It’s a 1-1 game, we lost in a shootout. That’s the unfortunate part, but there was a lot of good things in today’s game,” Lehner said after the game.
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