from Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News,
Jack Eichel would not be denied. His Buffalo Sabres teammates felt the same way from puck drop Wednesday night in Scotiabank Saddledome.
With the puck on the blade of his stick and the game on the line, Eichel passed over a line change and skated slowly through the neutral zone. He then picked up his pace into the right faceoff circle and fired a wrist shot over David Rittich's shoulder.
That goal 1:10 into overtime gave the Sabres a 4-3 win over the Western Conference's top team, the Calgary Flames, and snapped a three-game losing streak. Eichel's 16th goal of the season drew Buffalo to within two points of the second wild-card playoff spot, but it meant so much more to all involved on the visitors' side.
After allowing seven goals two days earlier and winning only six of their previous 21 games, the Sabres realized the type of performance it will take for them to beat the NHL's best in the season's second half.
"We really had the mindset we were going to win no matter what," Eichel said. "When that’s going down the bench and the whole team is feeling that way it’s a good feeling. It definitely helps you."
Watch the game highlights below.
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