The Buffalo Sabres gave Robin Lehner offensive support and the goalie made 33 saves n a 5-0 shellacking of the Oilers in Edmonton Tuesday night.
Ryan O’Reilly struck twice in the win and Sam Reinhart and Zemgus Girgensons had single markers in the win.
“It’s been a tough year, so for us to come out and respond after a hard, gritty effort (in Calgary) and play the same way,” Reinhart said. “I think [Lehner] did a great job on the kill in the first. We were able to get one going into the second and really build off that. I think everyone chipped in tonight and when everyone is doing that, it’s a lot more fun.”
Jack Eichel had one strike in the game and added three assists for Buffalo.
“We come in on a back-to-back against a team that is probably energized, they had a few days [off], we had an emotional win last night, so we want to come and play a good road first [period],” Eichel said. “Obviously to get a power-play goal early to get yourself feeling good, it’s important.”
Eichel is on a seven-game point streak for the Sabres.
“Jack has been leading us in the right way,” Sabres head coach Phil Housley said. “He’s playing well at both ends, his defensive responsibilities, he’s taking that to heart and when he gets the opportunity to use his speed through the neutral zone and attack the game, he’s done a terrific job. He’s creating offensively. He’s tough to play against in the offensive zone, he uses his body really well and he’s finding the net. His linemates are also doing a good job of creating space for him as well.”
Edmonton dropped to 21-24-3 with the loss.
“I’m not sure what words to use to describe it,” Oilers head coach Todd McLellan said. “It doesn’t feel really good obviously deep in the gut, and for anyone that watched it, it was quite disappointing.”
[WATCH: All Sabres vs. Oilers highlights]
Cam Talbot got the start for the Oilers but was given the hook after making 18 saves and giving up four goals.
Al Montoya mopped up in relief and made 11 saves.
“It was pretty clear, I don’t think we had enough respect for this hockey team. That’s what happens when you aren’t ready to play the other team, no matter who they are or where they are in the standings,” the Oilers’ Milan Lucic said after the loss.
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