In Newark, Linus Ullmark made 25 saves to help the Buffalo Sabres edge the New Jersey Devils, 3-2, on Saturday afternoon.
Sam Reinhart scored twice as the Sabres held a 3-0 lead into the third period.
“We were supporting the puck, we were moving our feet,” Reinhart said. “I felt like we were getting everyone into the game, which was really important. And, you know, I think it showed you that energy levels lead to the kind of grind that went out.
“It obviously hasn’t been going our way since we were able to come back, but I think getting on the road has been important for our guys. I would say that we can’t go anywhere, so to spend some time traveling and in hotels has helped us.”
Kyle Palmieri and P.K. Subban pulled the Devils within one, but could not get that equalizer.
“We knew they were going to be hungry team,” Palmieri said. “We weren’t playing our game and doing the things that made us successful coming out of the break. I thought the response in the third period was awesome, we pressed and had chances to tie the game.”
The Devils dropped to 6-4-2.
“I don’t think we skated very well and, as a team, we were low on energy,” New Jersey head coach Lindy Ruff said. “Got to give them credit, they beat us to a lot of pucks, they forced us into some turnovers. They’re energy seemed to be better than ours.”
Colin Miller also scored for the Sabres.
“We were able to kind of recognize early in the power play that that they weren’t really focusing on me too much,” Reinhart said of his second goal. “I kind of did two takes, and on the second one, was able to find a backdoor play after a little adjustment.”
Subban scored with under four minutes left in the game off the power play. The Devils had pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.
“We knew they were going to be hungry team,” Palmieri said. “We weren’t playing our game and doing the things that made us successful coming out of the break. I thought the response in the third period was awesome, we pressed and had chances to tie the game.”
Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves in the loss.
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