1/31/21
Photo Credit: Bill Wippert/ NHL.com
Buffalo N.Y-- The New Jersey Devils split were able to split the two-game series against the Buffalo Sabres with a 5-3. The Devils coming off a 4-3 shootout win the afternoon prior had a lot to prove as they sat just behind the Sabres in the East Division standings.
The first period got off to a rocky start for the Sabres as Michel McLeod scored the first of two-goal in teh game just twenty seconds into the period. McLeod was able to split the Defensemen, Brandon Montour and Matt Irwin, and got himself a break-a-way on Sabres goaltender Carter Hutton. The period would be calm until the very end when Andreas Johnsson knocked one in to take a 2-0 lead to the locker room with only 12 seconds remaining.
The second period gave the Sabres a leg up to start as both Curtis Lazar and Rasmus Dahlin each netted a goal. Lazar coming only 5 minutes into the period and Dahlin with a point shot on the powerplay. The period would not end in a tie as with only .2 seconds remaining on the clock Miles Wood was able to put on in giving New Jersey a 3-2 lead heading to the 3rd period.
The 3rd period was not that much different from the others was Rasmus Ristolainen was able to score from down low on the powerplay to tie the game again at 3. However, it would not be long before Michel McLeod would get his second on the day as an answer. With about 1:30 remaining in the game Buffalo pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker. Miles Wood would capitalize on this opportunity netting an empty to seal the game with a 5-3 victory.
This is only the second time that a team would be able to score three goals inside the last twenty seconds of a period. The last team to do so was the 1978-79 Philadelphia Flyers.
The Sabres will be on the road for a two-game series against the New York Islanders on Tuesday and Thursday.