Game 13: Accountability

Buffalo's 5-1 win against the Ottawa Senators came with a couple of noticeable healthy scratches to the lineup.

BUFFALO — After three straight losses that came after three straight wins, it was about time for the Buffalo Sabres to get things back on the right side. After all, the 2-1 loss in Detroit on Saturday saw one of their poorer efforts in the second period of that game and some terrible errors in judgment leading to two Red Wings goals.

But on Tuesday night, the Sabres looked like a much more disciplined and focused team, not to mention physical, in beating the Ottawa Senators 5-1. Scoring twice on the power play, going a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, and putting the Senators away when the game got close midway through were all great things to see.

What’s more notable about the win is that it came with defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Henri Jokiharju in the press box as healthy scratches.

The desire for accountability within the Sabres room at last saw repercussions for it with two key players, including an alternate captain, being sat out all while the guys who did play put together one of their most complete wins of the season.

“I want those two guys to raise their standard and I need their standard to be a lot higher,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.

More from a strong Sabres performance with a dramatic turn of events involved ahead.