BUFFALO, NY — In a game that had significant implications for the Metropolitan Division, the Buffalo Sabres, led by James Reimer`s stellar 33-save performance, defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Reimer achieved his first shutout of the season and the 31st of his NHL career. His previous shutout was on February 17, 2024, while playing for the Detroit Red Wings against Calgary.
The Sabres` victory was fueled by goals from Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and JJ Peterka. This win marks Buffalo`s fifth consecutive victory, a streak they haven`t achieved since January 2023.
Carolina`s goalie, Pyotr Kochetkov, managed 15 saves, but the Hurricanes suffered their third straight loss. This defeat officially secured the Metropolitan Division title for the Washington Capitals.
Tage Thompson extended his goal-scoring streak to five games, netting his 44th goal of the season early in the second period.
Alex Tuch contributed to the Sabres` lead with a shorthanded goal, his 34th of the season, also in the second period. This goal also prolonged Tuch`s point streak to seven games.
Key Points
Sabres: Buffalo`s strong performance in their recent 13 games, winning 10, highlights their potential. Their top players have been instrumental in this late-season surge. The Sabres were removed from playoff contention earlier in the day when Montreal defeated Detroit.
Hurricanes: The Hurricanes saw the return of Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov after brief injury absences, but the team still faced their third loss on their current four-game road trip.
Turning Point
Tuch’s shorthanded goal originated from a faceoff win in the neutral zone. Ryan McLeod won the faceoff, and Bowen Byram quickly passed to Tuch, who was speeding towards the goal and scored against Kochetkov.
Stat to Note
Thompson`s five-game goal streak includes eight goals, making it the highest goal streak for a Sabres player since Miroslav Satan scored 11 goals in eight games in 1998-1999.
Looking Ahead
The Sabres are set to embark on a three-game road trip starting in Columbus on Thursday, while the Hurricanes will conclude their four-game road trip in Washington on Thursday.
Tristan Blackwood