3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 2-0 Win Over the Sharks

Despite playing .500 hockey, the Buffalo Sabres entered Tuesday night’s game at the bottom of the Atlantic. They very much need to have a strong West Coast road trip, beginning with a visit to face Macklin Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks.

The Sabres got off to a strong start with what is easily their best game of the young season. The final score may not suggest they were dominant, but the Sabres controlled play and walked away with two points on their way to a 2-0 victory.

The Most Complete Effort This Season

While the Sabres still need to get more out of a few players, it is hard to complain about the performance the team put together in San Jose. They thoroughly outshot the Sharks, 40-23, and dominated the second period from start to finish.

If it weren’t for the play of San Jose goalie Yaroslav Askaraov, it easily could have been a blowout. The power play is still highly questionable, but any Sabres fan had to feel good about the way the team played in the opening stanza of the road trip.

The thing that jumped out most was their willingness to block shots. They won the battle 20-12, and no doubt a few blocks kept the puck out of their net during a handful of wild third period scrambles. Part of the reason the team was so successful last season was because they sold out to block shots and it paid off here.

It was also nice to see Zach Benson finally get a goal. He showed off excellent stickwork late in the third period, picking the pocket of Ivar Stenberg and scoring the empty-netter. Benson now has seven points in his last seven games, and hopefully this leads to a few more goals on his behalf.

Colten Ellis Was Excellent

The goaltending situation in Buffalo has been a hot topic for months now. With the Connor Hellebuyck saga finally over, it may be just what the doctor ordered for the Sabres’ goalies. It allows them to focus on improving and not wondering if they’ll be sent out.

Colten Ellis responded by having easily his best game this season. On his way to a second career shutout, Ellis turned aside 23 San Jose shots. That includes a few huge saves late in the game when the Sharks started to show a little life.

One game a season does not make, but it is an encouraging sign. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has looked better of late but still needs to work on avoiding big mistakes and Ellis has been quietly solid. When they get Alex Lyon back from injury, hopefully the Sabres can find a groove in net once again.

Olen Zellweger Continues to Be a Bargain

Sabres management has done well to find value in many of their contracts and one of the best on the entire roster right now is Olen Zellweger. His three-year, $9.30 million pact is looking like a massive bargain with the way he has played so far this season.

He scored the first goal of the game, a nice little snap shot off the rush that showed off his ability to pressure opponents with his speed. He lost ice time in Anaheim last season and finished with seven goals and 22 points; he appears well on his way to eclipsing those totals with three goals and five points through 11 games so far.

He has done fantastically in making up for the departed Bowen Byram, slotting in next to Owen Power to form an excellent second pairing. The two compliment one another quite well and Zellweger’s play has been one of the early success stories for the Sabres.

A Good Start to the Road Trip

That’s the best possible way to start a three-game California road trip. They’ll have another late night meeting on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks before finishing up with a spooky Halloween matinee against the Los Angeles Kings.

If they can take four or more of a possible six points on this trip, the game next Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators is going to have a big fight feel to it. And if the Sabres can get a little momentum going, look out.