It was another great matchup between these two teams as they battled it out in a close game to the end. The Bolts were able to get their offense going and did a great job of connecting the Sabres power play. Domingue also played well as he once again got a win in his best season yet. As for the Sabres, they could not keep the Bolts contained for the whole game, and they could not crack Domingue when it mated most. The Bolts continued their fantastic season as they picked up their third win in a row beating the Sabres 5-3, let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts got off to just the start they wanted as they put some pressure on early. It didn’t take long for the Bolts to capitalize as Point ripped one home for a 1-0 lead. The Sabres picked things back up though and put some pressure on the Bolts. Coburn would get called for roughing though, and the Sabres would head to the power play. The Bolts would successfully kill it off though. The Sabres just kept up the pressure after the power play was over, Reinhart sniped one past Domingue and tied the game at 1. The Sabres continued their excellent play as they looked to take the lead in this one. The Bolts would then put themselves in a pinch as Stamkos would get called for tripping and the Bolts would head back to the penalty kill. The Bolts killed off most of the penalty, but then Gourde would get called for interference with 30 seconds left on the penalty, giving Buffalo a 5 on 3. The Bolts would kill both penalties off with relative ease as Domingue made some great saves. As time winded down, the Bolts began to pick up some excellent chances, but it wouldn’t be enough. The Sabres then broke out on a 2 on 1 and Thompson got just enough to put it home for a 2-1 lead.

Goals: 2-1. Buffalo

Shots: 16-6 Buffalo

Second Period

The Bolts looked to tie this one up and they got some offensive pressure early. Buffalo would then respond with some pressure of their own as both teams battled it out. The Bolts finally started to get some more shots on goal, and it would pay off as Palat found himself in front of the net where he tapped it home to tie this game! Both teams then went back and forth getting shot after shot. Both netminders were locked down though and kept this game tied at 2. Both sides played a very disciplined game as after 15 minutes of play we had yet to see a penalty called in the period. Both teams picked up a few more chances, but neither could find the back of the net. As time began to wind down, Buffalo put on some pressure with a few nice opportunities on net. Domingue was not ready to let them have the lead back though, and he once again shut down the Sabres offense. The period would then come to a close, and after a much slower we would head into the final 2o tied at 2.

Goals: 2-2

Shots: 28-17 Buffalo

Third Period

Both teams new that the net one to score would have a huge upper hand for the rest of the game, so they made sure neither team could get much set up in their offensive zone. The Sabres then finally broke past the Lightning as Scandella put one in the back of the net to give the Sabres the lead. The Bolts had other plans though as not long after Nikita Kucherov ripped one home to tie this game at 3! The Bolts could taste the lead as they had some of their best zone time of the game. Gourde even had a shot that rang the post leaving them inches away from taking the lead. Things then got a little chippy as Sergachev and Larsson going at it. After things had cleared both Sergachev and Larsson would be heading off, but Sergachev would get an extra 2 min giving the Sabres a huge power play. Unfortunately for the Sabres, the power play would get cut short as Eichel tried to avoid McDonagh, but his elbow would catch McDonagh in the head, so he got 2 for elbowing. The Bolts than began to run away with things after they got their found momentum. Both penalties would soon end, and we were back to 5 on 5 hockey. The Bolts kept up the pressure and Steven Stamkos rifled one of his own into the back of the net and gave the Bolts a 4-3 lead. The Bolts weren’t done there though, Pilut would get called for holding, and the Bolts would look to extend their lead. The Bolts would do just that on the power play as Ryan Callahan got one into the back of the net for a 5-3 Lightning lead. Time would then soon wind down, and the Sabres pulled their goalie for one last shot, but it would be too little too late. The Bolts would go on to win this one 5-3!

Goals: 5-3 Tampa Bay

Shots: 33-30 Buffalo

1.  Nikita Kucherov (1G, 2A)
2.  Steven Stamkos (1G, 1A)
3.  Sam Reinhart (1G)

Up Next and Final Strike

This was another fun game to watch as the Bolts never took themselves out of this one. The Bolts penalty kill was massive for the Bolts as they went a perfect 4 for 4 tonight keeping the Sabres off the board. Domingue was great tonight as he continues one of his best season of his career. The Bolts defense was also decent tonight as they broke up some odd-man rushes and kept the Sabres from having long stents in the offensive zone. This was a good win against another good team as the Bolts pick up their third in a row. The Bolts will play the second half of a back to back tomorrow night so they will need to make sure they keep up this energy.

The Bolts will look to pick up their 4th win in a row as they take on the New York Islanders Sunday, January 13th at 7:00 PM.