Claude Giroux scored two goals and Carter Hart made 38 saves to lead the streaking Philadelphia Flyers to their ninth straight victory, 3-1 over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
Joel Farabee also scored and Jakub Voracek and Travis Sanheim each had a pair of assists for Philadelphia, which remained tied for first place with Washington in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals beat Pittsburgh 5-2 earlier Saturday.
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Claude Giroux scored two goals and Carter Hart made 38 saves to lead the streaking Philadelphia Flyers to their ninth straight victory, 3-1 over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.
Dominik Kahun scored for Buffalo, which dropped its sixth straight. The Sabres haven’t earned a point in any of those games, and it’s the first time they’ve gone without a point in six consecutive games since Dec. 28, 2015, to Jan. 8, 2016.
Farabee made it 3-1 with 5:11 remaining after a defensive gaffe by the Sabres. Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen passed back to Hutton from inside the defensive zone. Farabee pressured Buffalo’s goalie, intercepting Hutton’s attempt at a return pass to Ristolainen before shooting between Hutton’s legs.
Buffalo dominated the opening period, and could’ve been up at least two goals if not for Hart. He stopped Sam Reinhart on a breakaway six minutes in and then made two good saves off a 2-on-1 about 4½ minutes later, first on Johan Larsson’s slap shot and then Zemgus Girgensons’ follow from close range.
Buffalo: At Washington on Monday night.
Philadelphia Flyers' Tyler Pitlick (18) tries to keep Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Ristolainen (55) away during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)
Philadelphia improved to 25-5-4 at home, where Hart has been nearly unbeatable. The 21-year-old netminder upped his home mark to 20-2-2. Hart was stout all evening and particularly in the first period when the sluggish Flyers were outshot 13-4.
Philadelphia Flyers' Carter Hart (79) blocks a shot as Buffalo Sabres' Wayne Simmonds (17) looks on during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 3-1. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)
Dominik Kahun scored for Buffalo, which dropped its sixth straight. The Sabres haven’t earned a point in any of those games, and it’s the first time they’ve gone without a point in six consecutive games since Dec. 28, 2015, to Jan. 8, 2016.
Sabres star Jack Eichel extended the longest drought of his five-year career to seven games without a point.
Giroux’s second goal of the night, which put Philadelphia ahead 2-1 with 10:32 left, was a highlight tally. Voracek’s pass went off the stick of Buffalo defenseman Jake McCabe and into the air. Giroux wound up and connected just as the puck was landing on the ice, firing it past the left leg of Sabres goalie Carter Hutton for his 21st of the season.
Buffalo Sabres' Carter Hutton (40) blocks a shot as Philadelphia Flyers' Joel Farabee (49) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)
Farabee made it 3-1 with 5:11 remaining after a defensive gaffe by the Sabres. Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen passed back to Hutton from inside the defensive zone. Farabee pressured Buffalo’s goalie, intercepting Hutton’s attempt at a return pass to Ristolainen before shooting between Hutton’s legs.
Giroux opened the scoring midway through the second period. Voracek also set up that goal with a pass across the crease. Giroux corralled it with his skate and then backhanded the puck just under Hutton's Hutton.
Buffalo tied it with 3:06 left in the second when Kahun scored after a stellar pass from Victor Olofsson, who faked a shot and then dished to a wide-open Kahun to the right of the crease.
Philadelphia Flyers' Nicolas Aube-Kubel, left, and Buffalo Sabres' Jake McCabe collide during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)
Buffalo dominated the opening period, and could’ve been up at least two goals if not for Hart. He stopped Sam Reinhart on a breakaway six minutes in and then made two good saves off a 2-on-1 about 4½ minutes later, first on Johan Larsson’s slap shot and then Zemgus Girgensons’ follow from close range.
NOTES: The Flyers face the Eastern Conference’s top two teams in their next two games, at home against the Bruins on Tuesday and at Tampa Bay on Thursday. Philadelphia’s last loss was Feb. 15 at the Lightning. … Buffalo D Lawrence Pilut (illness) didn’t play. … Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk (broken right hand) missed his second straight game. He is expected to miss four to six weeks. … Philadelphia leads the season series 2-0. The teams play for the final time April 4 in Buffalo.
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Philadelphia Flyers' Claude Giroux (28) scores a goal against Buffalo Sabres' Carter Hutton (40) and Rasmus Ristolainen (55) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)
Buffalo: At Washington on Monday night.
Philadelphia: Hosts Boston on Tuesday night.
Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Ristolainen, left, tries to keep the puck away from Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Sanheim during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 3-1. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)
Philadelphia Flyers' Tyler Pitlick (18) tries to keep Buffalo Sabres' Rasmus Ristolainen (55) away during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoMatt Slocum)