IN St Paul, the Wild picked up a needed two points on Saturday when they downed the streaking Buffalo Sabres, 3-2, on skills.
“I’m just glad we didn’t get away from our game,” Wild coach Dean Evason said. “It was close, it was tight. We made some mistakes for sure, but guys were backing each other up and picking each other up on the bench. We didn’t have the jump that I think we normally have, so we grinded, which is how we’re going to win hockey games anyway. They put a little more emphasis on that, and we got it done.”
The loss snapped a five-game winning streak Buffalo rode into town on.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves in the Wild win.
Minnesota improved to 27-17-4.
Jack Quinn put the Sabres up, 1-0, in the first period.
Joel Eriksson Ek tied the game, 1-1, off the power play in the opening frame.
“They’re a good team over there,” Sabres forward Kyle Okposo said. “They take a lot of pride defensively. We put up a six spot on them last game (6-5 overtime win on Jan. 7), so we knew that they were going to really buckle down defensively.”
Buffalo dropped to 26-19-4.
“We generated enough to win,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “At least we got a point out of it, which is big. The road trip, we had seven out of eight points, so it’s a good trip. These guys should walk out with their heads up.”
Zemgus Girgensons scored in the second period to get the Sabres a 2-1 lead.
“It was great,” Girgensons said. “Started with ‘Krebsy’ making a simple play and outworking two guys and getting it to [Okposo], and an unbelievable play by [Okposo].”
Jared Spurgeon hit for Minnesota in the middle frame to tie the game, 2-2.
“I didn’t have to do too much, just direct it in,” Spurgeon said. “[Gaudreau’s] been playing great, does so many good things away from the puck as well. He’s such an underrated player and a big reason why we won.”
Frederick Gaudreau‘s goal on penalties was the deciding marker for the win.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 33 saves in the Sabres loss.
You must be logged in to post a comment.