Sabres edge away in overtime snapping Red Wings winning streak

Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images

The fun of winning games ended for the Detroit Red Wings at Key Bank Center Friday night. Detroit watched their winning streak end at three games with Buffalo’s Kyle Okposo scoring the overtime goal that gave the Sabres a 3-2 win.

A miraculous comeback over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday allowed the Red Wings to stay on the path of success going away for the first time in a week. They hoped to keep things alive against the Sabres who lost against Toronto on Tuesday. Darren Helm gets back into the lineup adding more speed to the Red Wings. Tyler Ennis came back for just a second game after being out nearly a good chunk of the season. Petr Mrazek got the nod to start against Buffalo after Jared Coreau got rocked early on against the Bruins. If his performance rubs the right way against their division rivals (who happen to sit three points behind them in last place) more positive events will occur.  

They had to stop Buffalo from scoring on a power play and did well with their penalty kill. Though they managed four shots on Mrazek, the inability to score gave Detroit confidence early on defense. It didn’t help them later on when getting hold of the net pushing their shots to just two through nine minutes of play.

A power play opportunity came to them just at the right time to take the opening lead. In just 15 seconds on the man advantage Frans Nielsen got a solid shot through traffic and behind Anders Nilsson for his tenth. Mike Green got his 14^th assist making the contribution earlier in the play.

They got more shots in the Buffalo zone but the Sabres were still dictating most of the period with scoring chances all over Mrazek who had to make some serious saves. By the time the period was over, they remained out front outshooting Detroit 14-10, won 80 percent of face offs and turned the puck over twice despite being down a goal.

Detroit showed signs of catching up in the second but gave up a penalty three minutes in. They got into a little bit of trouble facing a short 5 on 3 in favor of the Sabres. A good blocked shot ended the two-man advantage but the Red Wings weren’t out of the woods yet. Buffalo fought well in front of the net scoring a goal in the net but was waved off by officials.

Evidence of a kicking motion was thought to be seen but it turned out that Detroit defenseman Danny DeKeyser scored the goal into his own net on the play giving credit to Sam Reinhart for his tenth of the season. Detroit pursued the push to get back the lead taking things right to Nilsson in net. They almost blew on a delayed penalty to Buffalo when Mrazek left the ice for an extra man. The puck somehow nearly reached the empty net of Detroit but DeKeyser got to it in time preventing the cheap goal.

With the sigh of relief, the Red Wings went on their second power play of the game but despite getting three shots on net, the attempts weren’t good enough to connect with the back of the net. The Sabres began to surge once more overwhelming Mrazek at times who had very little support on defense. Though he kept the opposition from adding another to their column, more had to be done to gain the upper hand overall. They out did the Red Wings for a second time 15-10 while getting an important move out of the way.

The third was a fight for control to get the go ahead lead with twenty minutes left. Detroit was first to jump ahead but had problems maintaining consistency. Through seven minutes they attained four shots on Nilsson but none of them were good enough to convert to a goal. A penalty nearing the midpoint of the period looked to go against Detroit but a late hit caught by officials gave them a power play instead. Scoring chances didn’t come easy for them with the Sabres blocking shots while down a man.

Despite going one for three on the power plays they had plenty of time left on the clock to get it done. Buffalo regained the lead on shots to the net seeing that the Red Wings were heating up after surpassing the ten-minute mark. Detroit worked hard getting a play together and saw the veterans come up with a huge statement. For Helm, it was his moment to shine to put his team out front. The veteran forward got in on Nilsson to score his fifth of the year and first in 28 games. To get one before his 30^th birthday made it even more special for him on the night. Justin Abdelkader reached a pinnacle moment in his career recording his 100^th assist on the play.

The Sabres were under the gun to level the game or suffer a tough loss on home ice. After three minutes, had surpassed, the Sabres fought the puck while skating behind the net. It was Ryan o-Reilly who came back in front of Mrazek with a wraparound attempt that tied the game 4:09 left on the clock for his ninth.

It became the last goal to occur in regulation as the Red Wings and Sabres moved things to three on three overtime with no winner at the end of 60 minutes. Buffalo edged Detroit 35-32 on shots on goal hoping that their push to stay out front would help them defeat the Red Wings. Detroit felt their confidence going into a second consecutive to capture the second point. With a long shift of Helm, Mike Green and Tomas Vanek on the ice, Detroit gained a huge chance to put it away with a 4 on 3 power play.

Detroit’s best line got on the ice but had problems with the control of the puck. It ate time off the clock and their power play chance. The Sabres winning the draws on the faceoff also played a big role in the demise of their penalty and faced adversity of a different kind. Buffalo got a penalty with 1:07 left in the period. A push with their line had Jack Eichel getting near the boards where DeKeyser tried to go in for the steal. During his attempt, Eichel hooked him which was never seen by officials then cleared the puck out front.

O’Reilly got possession and found Okposo in the crease getting the scoring chance to end the game on a winner with 24 seconds left in the period. Okposo picked up his 14^th and secured the second point that got them a win at home. With the road being once again unfriendly to the Red Wings, they’ll return home to prepare for a Sunday afternoon matchup against the New York Rangers where they hope to keep up their home winning streak while it stands.