The Buffalo Sabres recently ended a horrendous 13-game losing skid that saw them fall to last place in the Eastern Conference. Thanks to a dominating 6-2 victory on Friday night at home against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks, they've now won two straight.
A hat-trick from forward Alex Tuch powered the Sabres to a convincing win over the Blackhawks, who fell to 12-22-2, while the win improved the Sabres to 13-19-4.
The first 20 minutes of play was nothing short of an offensive onslaught by the Sabres, who got goals from Zach Benson, Tuch, Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn as they led 4-0 going into the first intermission.
The Blackhawks reduced Buffalo's lead, thanks to Tyler Bertuzzi's second-period goal; it was his 11th goal of the season for the first-year Blackhawks forward.
While defenseman Seth Jones cut the deficit in half with his third goal early in the game's final frame, the Sabres put the game out of Chicago's reach, thanks to a pair of goals from Tuch, completing his hat-trick.
Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek was yanked from play after the opening 20 minutes where he allowed four goals on 11 shots. He was replaced by Arvid Soderblom, who stopped 22 of 24 shots he faced.
Meanwhile, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen wasn't overly busy, stopping 15 of 17 shots from the Blackhawks.
Three most impressive Buffalo Sabres in 6-2 victory over Chicago Blackhawks
#1 Alex Tuch
The Sabres were fueled by the hat-trick effort from Tuch, which was the third of his NHL career and also the first hat-trick by a Sabres player in over a full season of play.
He now has 12 goals and 16 assists this season for Buffalo.
#2 Rasmus Dahlin
Buffalo Sabres captain picked up a goal with an assist, giving him a total of six helpers over his last two games, both Sabres wins.
Additionally, he finished with a positive +3 rating. His overall performance was praised by coach Lindy Ruff:
"There was a time in the first in the first period where he was just a one-man breakout machine," Ruff said. "Just kind of took the game in his own hands and said, ‘Here, I’m going to lead the way.’"
#3 Dylan Cozens
Another Sabres who finished with multiple points, Cozens also racked up both a goal and an assist while finishing a +2.
Cozens is one of the Buffalo Sabres' young players they depend on, so his performance was more than adequate in Friday's win.