Alfredsson's Hat Trick Leads Ottawa Senators over Buffalo Sabres

Friday proved to be just another frustrating night for the Buffalo Sabres and its fans. Ottawa defeated the Sabres 4-2 in front of the HSBC Arena crowd.

Daniel Alfredsson continued his tear against the Buffalo Sabres, scoring three times and earning his 1,000 career point.

Alfredsson came into the game with just one goal and four assists on the season, but had a hat trick and led the Senators to their second victory of the season. He now has 22 points in his last 11 visits to HSBC arena, along with 81 points in 78 career games against Buffalo.

Brian Elliot, who made 34 saves, improved his lifetime record against the Sabres to 9-0.

The Sabres trailed by a goal three different times during the game, but were unable to tie it up in the third period. Despite 20 shots on goal in the third, and 36 overall, Buffalo couldn’t get the tying goal, although they showed a solid effort.

Tim Connolly scored both goals for the Sabres, but Buffalo turned the puck over too many times. The first three Ottawa goals came as a result of direct giveaways by Buffalo.

After Steve Montador failed to get the puck out of the zone while short-handed, the Senators took advantage. Alfredsson tipped a shot that beat Ryan Miller, giving Ottawa a 1-0 lead.

Ottawa’s second goal also came off a Buffalo turnover. Tyler Myers was stripped of the puck behind the net, and Ryan Shannon put the Senators back on top.

Connolly gave the puck away inside the Ottawa zone, and the Senators came down on a two-on-one. Alfredsson blasted the shot past Miller, giving his team its third lead of the night.

The turnovers are what lost this game for Buffalo. If the Sabres would have played the whole game as they did in the third, they probably would have won.

Steve Montador dampened any chance of tying the game in the third by taking an interference penalty. However, there was a good chance he helped save a goal since the Buffalo net was empty.

Now the Sabres have to head to New Jersey to take on the Devils, who are coming off of a 3-0 shutout against Montreal on Thursday.

The Sabres dropped to 0-5 at home this season and last in the Northeast Division. How much longer is this going to last? Or are the Sabres really not that good a team?

Post a comment below with your thoughts.