PITTSBURGH PENGUINS at BUFFALO SABRES 4 - 2 (1-0, 1-1, 2-1) Nicklas Lidström where acquired by the Buffalo Sabres yesterday in exchange for a number of prospects and some high draft picks in 2005. Today, Lidström played his first game as a Buffalo Sabre, and the game where played on home ice. And Nicklas Lidström made a strong impression in his first game, playing 29 minutes and scoring one goal and assisting on the other Sabre goal. Lidström where also +2 for the game, and had 3 shots and 3 hits. A perfect debut, if it had not been for the Penguins and the fact that they won the game.
The Penguins scored the lone goal, in a period where the Sabres had more shots on net. But Saku Koivu added his 12th goal four minutes into the period. The Sabres got the chance to play powerplay just seconds after the goal, but came up empty. The Sabres also drew blanks on there second powerplay in the period, when former Sabre Darius Kasparaitis where in the box. But once again, the Pens and Kölzig stoped the Sabres attacks.
The second period started out in a simular fashion, with the Sabres putting on the pressure on the Penguins, but the Penguins continued to defend there net. And the Penguins also scored the first goal in the second period, Konstantin Koltsov scored his 12th this season, assisted by Smith and Kovalev to make it 2-0. But the Sabres only needed 8 seconds to cut the lead in half, and it was the new guy on the team putting the puck in net. Nicklas Lidström used his accurate slapshot to make it 2-1 with his 5th goal this season.
In the third period things started to heat up. 2-1 on the scoreboard, and the home team eager to get back on even terms. But, the Sabres took some ill-advised penalties at the start of the period. And gave Pittsburgh the chance to close down the game. And when you have Alexei Kovalev on your team, then powerplays are always nice. Chris Tamer where in the box serving 5 minutes for a checking-from-behind when Kovalev scored. Just 3 minutes into the period, Kovalev had made it 3-1 and it looked like the Penguins would get an easy ride to the finish line. But the Sabres got some life when Ales Kotalik made it a one goal game with his 11th tally this season with more then 7 minutes to play. But the Sabres comeback hopes where put out when Kevyn Adams (3) made it 4-2 less then two minutes after Kotalik's goal. And when Henrik Talliner took a 5 minute penalty for a charging with just four minutes to go, the Sabres fans left the building.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Alexei Kovalev (Pittsburgh) 1 goal (GWG) and 1 assist along with 6 shots.
TEAM RECORDS:
Pittsburgh Penguins (4th) - 28-17-6 - 64 points
Buffalo Sabres (7th) - 26-22-3 - 56 points
SCORING LEADERS:
Pittsburgh Penguins: Marc Savard - 52 games, 13 goals, 39 assists, 52 points, +18
Buffalo Sabres: Marian Gaborik - 49 games, 19 goals, 20 assists, 39 points, +5
GOALTENDING STATS:
Pittsburgh Penguins: Olaf Kölzig - 50 games, 27-16-6, .910 save pct, 1 shutout
Buffalo Sabres: Jean Sebastien Giguere - 40 games, 19-17-3, .920 save pct, 4 shutouts