The Buffalo Sabres controlled the faceoff circle Monday night at Honda Center, but they still fell 6-5 in overtime to the Anaheim Ducks, exposing something more troubling than a single game's worth of missed opportunities. When a team controls possession at the dot and still allows six goals, the problem isn't execution - it's what happens after winning those draws.
The Story
Buffalo jumped ahead 3:36 into the first period when Alex Tuch converted off an Owen Power assist, but their early advantage quickly evaporated once Anaheim's power play found its rhythm. Chris Kreider answered at 9:27 on the man advantage, assisted by Leo Carlsson, then Jackson LaCombe gave the Ducks their first lead at 12:23 with Mason McTavish and Beckett Sennecke earning helpers.
Josh Doan answered for Buffalo at 17:14, taking a feed from Noah Ostlund and Bowen Byram to even the score 2-2 after one period. But the second period belonged entirely to Anaheim. Sennecke scored at 2:35 off a LaCombe assist, then Troy Terry extended Anaheim's lead at 15:40 with Tim Washe and Olen Zellweger setting up the goal.
Buffalo's third-period surge looked like it might steal the game. Jack Quinn scored at 4:40, assisted by Rasmus Dahlin and Zach Benson. Power added another at 10:05 off a Ryan McLeod feed, then Benson gave Buffalo the lead at 11:37 with Dahlin and Beck Malenstyn earning assists. But Mikael Granlund answered for Anaheim at 18:16, forcing overtime where Terry ended it unassisted at 1:29.
Systems & Structure
The most revealing aspect of this game wasn't Buffalo's possession advantages - it was how Anaheim's power play execution neutralized that territorial control. The Ducks scored twice with the man advantage while the special teams differential proved crucial despite the Sabres controlling aspects of even-strength play.
Anaheim's approach was surgical. Their power play struck twice in the first period alone, with both Kreider and LaCombe finding the net on the man advantage. This early special teams success gave the Ducks the foundation they needed to weather Buffalo's territorial pressure throughout the game.
The period-by-period breakdown reveals how momentum shifted. Buffalo took the early lead but Anaheim responded with two power play goals to take control of the first period. The Ducks extended their advantage with two even-strength goals in the second period, building a cushion that would prove necessary. Buffalo's three-goal third period proved they could respond when trailing, but Granlund's late equalizer showed Anaheim's composure under pressure.
The shot differential favored Anaheim 33-29, aligning with their ability to generate slightly more offensive opportunities throughout the contest. This suggests the Ducks' neutral zone structure and transition game were effectively managing Buffalo's possession advantages, turning potential sustained pressure into manageable defensive situations.
The Players Who Mattered
Troy Terry delivered the game's most complete offensive performance with two goals, including the overtime winner. His unassisted overtime goal capped a night where he provided the decisive scoring punch when Anaheim needed it most. Terry's two-goal performance showcased his ability to find the net in crucial moments.
Zach Benson was among several players with two points (1G-1A), contributing to Buffalo's comeback attempt with efficient production. His goal at 11:37 of the third period was crucial in Buffalo's rally, showing composure from a young player in a high-pressure moment.
Rasmus Dahlin orchestrated Buffalo's offense with two assists, setting up scoring chances throughout the game. His playmaking ability was evident in both the Quinn and Benson goals during Buffalo's third-period surge, demonstrating his impact from the back end.
Jackson LaCombe provided Anaheim's most balanced contribution with a goal and an assist. His power play goal at 12:23 of the first period helped establish Anaheim's early advantage, and his assist on Sennecke's second-period goal showed his ability to contribute in multiple situations.
Leo Carlsson matched Dahlin's output with two assists, helping set up both the Kreider power play goal and Granlund's crucial late equalizer. His playmaking was instrumental in Anaheim's special teams success and their ability to respond when Buffalo mounted their comeback.
Owen Power contributed a goal and an assist for Buffalo, with his third-period goal at 10:05 serving as a key moment in the Sabres' rally attempt. His balanced offensive contribution highlighted his two-way impact.
What the Numbers Say
Special teams execution: Anaheim scored twice on the power play, with the two first-period goals providing the foundation for their victory. This execution proved decisive in a game that required overtime to settle.
Shot differential: Anaheim outshot Buffalo 33-29, generating slightly more offensive opportunities throughout the contest while managing Buffalo's possession advantages effectively.
Goaltending performance: Alex Lyon made 27 saves on 33 shots for Buffalo, while Ville Husso stopped 24 of 29 shots for Anaheim. Both goaltenders faced significant offensive pressure in a high-scoring affair.
Balanced scoring: Multiple players contributed two-point performances, with Benson, Dahlin, Power, Carlsson, Kreider, LaCombe, and Sennecke all recording multiple points in the contest.
Third-period momentum: Buffalo outscored Anaheim 3-1 in the final frame, mounting a dramatic comeback that forced overtime before ultimately falling short.
Physical play: Anaheim registered 23 hits compared to Buffalo's 12, suggesting a more physical approach that may have disrupted Buffalo's possession game.
Looking Ahead
This overtime loss represents a missed opportunity for Buffalo to build on their strong positioning, but it showcases their ability to mount comebacks even when trailing by multiple goals. The Sabres' third-period surge demonstrated resilience that could serve them well in future contests.
For Anaheim, this victory highlighted their ability to execute in crucial moments, particularly on the power play and in overtime. Terry's game-winning goal and the team's power play performance showed the kind of clutch execution that wins tight games.