In Ottawa, the Senators spotted the visiting Buffalo Sabres a 2-0 advantage on Tuesday, in the first period.
The sens then reeled off four straight goals in the frame to start the rout, as they defeated the Sabres, 7-4.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored twice for the Senators – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
The four goals came in a span of 3:29.
“Six goals in the first period was not a goalie duel,” Craig Anderson said (23 saves in the win). “It was just one of those games where it was going back and forth and you just didn’t know what the difference was going to be.”
Jean-Gabriel Pageau struck twice for the Sens.
“Right now, we’re having good chemistry with the linemates I have (Brady Tkachuk and Connor Brown),” Pageau said. “I just try to keep improving my game. Try to get better and build that confidence. I want to still prove that I can play in this League for many years.”
Brandon Montour staked the Sabres to the early two-goal lead.
“I think everyone’s got to realize where we’re at,” Montour said. “We let another one slip away. [Since] the bye week (Jan. 20-26), we’ve let a number of games slip away, and those are big points. Hopefully everybody in this room realizes we let another one go there and we’ve got to get back to work tomorrow.”
Artem Anisimov also had two strikes for the Sens.
“It’s great for him (Anderson’s 200th win with Ottawa),” Smith said. “I mean, it’s hard to be a starter in the National Hockey League and then certainly do it as long as he’s done it. And through a rebuild, that’s tough as well. There’s some tough nights where you give up some high-end chances and things like that. So he’s continued to be a great professional, continued to come to the rink, be a good teammate.”
Vladislav Namestnikov (shorthanded), Anthony Duclair and Drake Batherson had single markers for Ottawa.
“We know that Ottawa’s the best shorthanded scoring team in the League, we had awareness of that,” Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger said. “It’s very disappointing. I thought we really slipped off the mark.”
Johan Larsson and Victor Olofsson also scored for the Sabres.
[WATCH: All Sabres vs. Senators highlights]
Carter Hutton made 33 saves in the loss.
“It’s a game of momentum and we had it all in the first 10 minutes … and let it go,” Buffalo forward Kyle Okposo said. “So, disappointing.”
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