For only the fourth time this season, the Buffalo Sabres were victorious on home ice, knocking off the Ottawa Senators 3-2. With the win, the Sabres have earned at least a point in four consecutive games, improving to 8-17-6.
Five observations from Tuesday's win:
Shoot to get hot, shoot to stay hot
When Benoit Pouliot shoots, there is a pretty good chance it's going in. Aside from Evan Rodrigues who has only played in four games, Pouliot has the best shooting percentage on the Sabres, finding the back of the net on more than 17% of his shots. With eight goals in 31 games, Pouliot has already matched his season total from last year with the Edmonton Oilers [67 games].
Benoit Pouliot pic.twitter.com/h1mVN1F5IK
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 13, 2017
Going steaking!!!
.........We're going up the quad and to the gymnasium! With his goal against the Senators, Evander Kane has a point in five consecutive games. For Kane, that's his longest point streak since he registered a point in eight consecutive games in 2013.
McKenzie: Teams that are amongst the most interested in Evander Kane at this point would include #SJSharks, #stlblues, #NHLDucks and perhaps the #Flames.
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) December 12, 2017
With 14 goals on the season, the trade rumors surrounding Kane will continue to swirl. According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, talks surrounding Kane are intensifying and heating up.
Not something you see every day
Twice -- that's how many times this season the Sabres have scored three goals in the same period. For those wondering, the only other game was on October 17th against the Vegas Golden Knights.
As the second period came to an end fans cheered as the Sabres went into the locker room.
Chemistry
After an abysmal stretch, the Sabres power play is starting to show some life. For the third time in their last three games, the Sabres scored with the man advantage as Rasmus Ristolainen slid a perfect pass to Kane inside the circle.
Eichel->Ristolainen->Kane pic.twitter.com/bykmD3IGNX
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 13, 2017
All year the power play has been an area where the Sabres have really struggled. Three consecutive games with a goal is still too small of a sample size to say that their man advantage problems are a thing of the past. But at least it's a step in the right direction.
Angry Larry
It has been a forgettable season for Johan Larsson but on Tuesday he stood out for all the right reasons. Despite a sloppy offensive zone high-sticking penalty, Larsson had one of his best games in the last few weeks. He created several turnovers and made a few nice plays in the Senators zone.
