Sabres wrap: Alex Tuch delivers 'one of his best games' to extend win streak to 4
The Sabres improved to 22-26-5 overall, and they have won seven of their last nine games at home. They are 11-7-1 since their 13-game winless streak ended Dec. 23.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Buffalo Sabres' starting goalie, couldn't dress for their game Tuesday night in KeyBank Center because of an injury.
Felix Sandstrom was summoned from Rochester during the American Hockey League's All-Star break, and he didn't even arrive in time for pregame warmups. His roster spot was created by defenseman Mattias Samuelsson going on injured reserve.
The setback occurred several hours after Lindy Ruff revealed Tage Thompson wasn't going to play two days after he was hit in the head on an illegal check, and the latest calamity happened as the Sabres were trying to achieve their first four-game win streak since January 2023.
Alex Tuch, James Reimer and Dennis Gilbert were among the Sabres who ensured the latest crisis wouldn't derail them. Tuch scored two goals, Reimer made 27 saves and Gilbert galvanized his team by fighting one of the toughest players in the NHL during a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"We’re a tight group in here and as a team we wanted to show that and respond to that," Gilbert, a Buffalo native, said. "There were even a couple scrums throughout the game tonight where I liked that we had everybody in there. It’s never been a question in this room that we care about each other.
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) celebrates his goal in the second period of their NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. Joed Viera/Buffalo News
The Sabres improved to 22-26-5 overall, and they have won seven of their last nine games at home. They are 11-7-1 since their 13-game winless streak ended Dec. 23 but remain last in the Eastern Conference, three points behind the Philadelphia Flyers and 11 points out of a playoff spot.
It wasn't a stress-free finish. Buffalo had only one shot on goal in the third period, and Ruff had only 10 forwards to deploy after winger Beck Malenstyn's back spasms forced him to leave in the second period.
Tuch led the way for the Sabres with his 17th and 18th goals of the season. He also had an assist, and his 22:15 of ice time led all forwards. Tuch broke a 1-1 tie 12:17 into the second period, and his second goal gave them a 3-1 advantage. Ruff used him for 8:06 of the third period, when they held the Blue Jackets to eight shots on goal. Tuch has 40 points in 53 games this season.
"I thought one of his best games," Ruff said of Tuch. "On the puck, skated, competed hard. I thought he gave us a great effort. … It was a game where you noticed him every shift, whether it was defensively or offensively.
Bowen Byram also chipped in a goal with an assist, Jason Zucker had two assists and Ryan McLeod skated a career-high 22:19.
The Sabres were in jeopardy of losing another multi-goal lead. Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov cut their deficit to 3-2 with 7:22 left in regulation. Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin blocked two shots apiece, and Reimer made a clutch save on Kent Johnson during the 6-on-5 to close out the win.
"Calm, cool, collected, that’s James Reimer to the T right there," said Tuch. "It was awesome."
First period
• In the wake of Thompson's injury, and the inaction from his teammates moments after the hit, Gilbert fought Blue Jackets winger Mathieu Olivier at the start of the game.Gilbert connected with a right hook, but he was taken down by a punch from one of the toughest players in the NHL to end the. Later, Gilbert assisted on Tuch's second goal with a brilliant pump fake and shot pass.
• The Blue Jackets outshot the Sabres, 7-1, until Byram scored on a shot from the slot to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead 10:06 into the first period. Zucker's shot ricocheted off a skate, sending the puck to Byram to set up his sixth goal this season.
• The Sabres have scored a league-leading 60 first-period goals, and they have an NHL-best plus-21 goal differential in first periods.
Second period
• Johnson tied it 1-1 for the Blue Jackets when he stopped hard at the left faceoff dot, spun around and snapped a high, backhand shot that went over Reimer's shoulder 1:47 into the second period."I think it's one of those where you tip your cap," said Reimer. "Not to give excuses by any means ... but when he stopped up and sprayed snow, I lost (sight of) the puck."
• Buffalo's penalty kill improved to 10 for 10 over its last three games when it did not allow a goal while Dylan Cozens was in the box for tripping.
• Merzlikins slid to his left to stop Zucker's redirect, but the Sabres regrouped and re-entered the offensive zone to continue their push to score the go-ahead goal.
• Gilbert received a pass at the left point, pump faked and sent a shot pass to the slot, where Tuch was ready to redirect it past Merzlikins for the 2-1 lead with 7:42 left in the second period. Gilbert has two assists in as many games, and Tuch earned his ninth multi-point game of the season.
• Sabres winger Zach Benson was dragged down on his way to the net, giving Buffalo a power play with 7:05 remaining. The Sabres' power play without Thompson was unable to score, but forced Merzlikins to make five saves.
• Tuch skated toward the front of the net and tipped Rasmus Dahlin's shot to add to the Sabres' lead with 1:04 left in the second period. Dahlin earned his league-leading 21st assist since Dec. 23.
• The Sabres had 14 shots on goal in the second period and carried a 3-1 lead into the intermission.
Third period
• Provorov cut the Sabres' lead to 3-2 with a backdoor redirect 12:38 into the third period. Tuch was in position to cover Provorov, but the Blue Jackets defenseman used his stick to get the puck past Reimer.• The Sabres were outshot 6-1 through 15 minutes to start the third period, as Ruff relied on a small group of forwards to hold the lead.
• Columbus coach Dean Evason pulled Reimer for an extra attacker with 2:33 remaining. The Sabres iced the puck twice, but forced the Blue Jackets to take shots from the perimeter until the game ended.
Filling in
Isak Rosen, a 2021 first-round draft pick, filled in for Thompson on the top line with Jiri Kulich and JJ Peterka.Ruff planned to give Rosen an extended look, but the 21-year-old winger had one shot on goal in 11:46 of ice time. He got three shifts in the third period when the Sabres were down to 10 forwards. Rosen was recalled Monday while he was in California for the AHL All-Star Classic. He has 23 goals and 39 points in 40 games with Rochester. this season.