Helenius Scores First NHL Points as Sabres Defeat Predators
Noah Ostlund and Peyton Krebs shone in the Sabres’ recent victory against the Predators. The Sabres, now standing at 27 wins, 17 losses, and 5 overtime losses, ended a two-game winless streak with this match.
Helenius Scores First NHL Points
David Helenius made a significant impact by scoring his first NHL point. He helped set up Ostlund’s opening goal at 8:11 in the first period. Ostlund capitalized on a rebound following a shot by Rasmus Dahlin, which deflected off Helenius.
Game Highlights
The Sabres were led offensively by Ostlund, who netted two goals, while Krebs contributed one goal and one assist. Alex Lyon, returning from a lower-body injury, was key to the Sabres’ defensive efforts, making 31 saves. This match marked his first appearance since December 29.
Key Player Performances
- Noah Ostlund: 2 goals
- Peyton Krebs: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Alex Lyon: 31 saves
- David Helenius: 1 point (first NHL point)
Predators’ Struggles
The Predators, with a record of 23 wins, 22 losses, and 4 overtime losses, faced challenges in this match. Ryan O’Reilly delivered a strong offensive performance with two goals and an assist. Filip Forsberg also contributed with one goal and two assists.
The team struggled early, allowing four goals in the first period. Goaltender Juuse Saros was replaced after giving up four goals on 18 shots. Justus Annunen stepped in, making 13 saves in relief.
Forsberg commented on the team’s uncharacteristic start: “We didn’t move, we didn’t work, we didn’t compete. They were faster and won puck battles. You can’t go down 4-0 in this league and expect to come back.”
Conclusion
This match highlights both the Sabres’ resilience and the lessons the Predators must learn moving forward. The Sabres embraced a strong start, while Nashville must reflect on their performance to avoid repeated mistakes in future games.
