After a storybook rise to the NHL last year, Buffalo goaltender Michael Houser got his first start in the NHL this season. Despite seeming like free money, Houser proved a wall and more than up to the challenge.
The 29-year-old started this year’s campaign in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones. After injuries to four Sabres’ goaltenders, Houser has once again arrived in Buffalo.
Along with the stellar play of Houser, what else went right for Buffalo in their road win?
First Period
With Tage Thompson unable to play in the game, Dylan Cozens stepped up to center Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner. This was huge for Cozens, as he has not had the best linemates to work with historically. He has shown in the past, he can produce when given some star-power around him.
It took just 12 minutes for Cozens to find the scoresheet.
A great passing play by Will Butcher and Alex Tuch resulted in Cozens driving the offensive zone with speed. He split the defense and haphazardly threw the puck on the net, while the puck somehow squeaked between the legs of Anton Forsberg. This snapped his seven-game scoreless drought, while also giving the Sabres the lead.
But truly, this period was all about Michael Houser. I’m not sure if it’s his cheeky smile or the fact he just has a great story, but I love the way he plays. He was aggressive in the net, but also controlled his rebounds well. Some big-time saves were made when the Sabres needed them most.
Here is how his night started:
Second Period
This was a sloppier period for Buffalo which culminated in a powerplay goal for Ottawa. Drake Batherson nailed home a puck that was bouncing around the Sabres net. Not much more you can ask out of Houser on this, as the Senators finally tallied one on the man-advantage to tie the game up at one.
Third Period
After what happened against Detroit, expectations around Buffalo were not the highest. This period saw the Sabres scratch and claw to actually take the lead.
One of the weirdest goals I have ever seen occurred just halfway through this final frame. A big hit on team-leader Kyle Okposo initiated a scrum in front of the Senators bench. Everyone on the ice joined the altercation except Mark Jankowski for Buffalo and Josh Brown for Ottawa. The Sabres realize the play was somehow still going on and stripped Brown of the puck. All the while Mark Jankowski received a pass for a breakaway and gave Buffalo the lead. It seems like it’s been ages, but the blue-and-gold finally capitalized on a late-game breakaway to put a game away.
Things did get a bit dicey for Buffalo as a ticky-tack penalty was called late into the game on Peyton Krebs. A great penalty kill by the Sabres sealed the deal for them.
An empty-net goal by Alex Tuch sent the Sabres home with a win on foreign soil.
This cannot be stated enough, but Michael Houser stole this game for Buffalo. This game saw him stop 43 of the 44 shots faced while also taking home the first star of the game.
Some Suprises
This game was all about Michael Houser, but some other players looked good in the win.
Mattias Samuelsson once again proved he is a capable NHL defenseman. The 21-year-old was steady in the Sabres’ own end. He led all Sabres blue-liners with shorthanded minutes in the game, as well as blocks.
Dylan Cozens has been stuck centering the third line with players outside of his skill level. Here he got to shine on Buffalo’s top line. With a goal and an assist on the night, the young center seemed to shine in the spotlight. Hopefully for Buffalo, they can get some more talent around Cozens, and we can see him start to produce more consistantly.
Anders Bjork has had somewhat of a letdown year this season. I’m going to blame that on being stuck on the fourth line for basically all of this year. He has a high motor, and he proved last year, given a chance he can score at the NHL level. This season sees him with four goals and one assist; not the best. He hasn’t gotten the chances other guys have, and in this game, I believe he played very well. He had a one-on-two where he split the defense of Ottawa and almost scored a crafty goal. I’d love to see him alongside Cozens in the next game once Thompson returns to the lineup.
What’s next?
Buffalo will get right back to action when they host the Dallas Stars this Thursday. Puck drop is at 7 pm at Key Back Center.