The last place Buffalo Sabres came into town this evening to take on the Eastern Conference leading Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Buffalo made things interesting at times, but the Lightning managed to lock the game down in the third period as they secured their 54th win with a 7-5 victory.
It didn’t take long for the Lightning to come alive in this one as the recurring theme of forechecking bore the fruit for the opening goal just 30 seconds in. Anthony Cirelli started the play in the defensive zone by chipping the puck off the boards, around Marco Scandella, and into the offensive zone.