Buffalo Sabres Youngsters Lead The Way Over Winnipeg

It says a lot about the future of the Buffalo Sabres when their three goal scorers in a comeback victory are the youngest players on the team.  20-year old Hudson Fasching, 20-year old Sam Reinhart and 19-year old Jack Eichel all scored in the Sabres 3-2 come from behind win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon at First Niagara Center.  The win completed a two-game season sweep of the Jets.

It didn't start well for the Sabres.  The Jets scored twice in the opening five minutes to take a 2-0 lead despite the Sabres dominating play.  But the Sabres battled back to cut the lead in half before the end of the period on the first NHL goal in his first NHL game by Fasching.  After completing his college hockey career and signed by the Sabres earlier in the week, Fasching was inserted into the lineup and he made his presence felt.  Getting an assist on the play was defenseman Casey Nelson, also signed earlier in the week.

Early in the third period Reinhart tied it on the rebound of a shot by Zemgus Gergensons for his 21st goal of the season.  Then three minutes later Reinhart set up the game winner.  Reinhart stole the puck along the boards and sent a blind backhand pass to Eichel cruising thru center ice and Eichel cleanly beat the Winnipeg goaltender for his 23rd goal of the season.

After giving up those two early goals Chad Johnson kept the Buffalo net clear the rest of the way stopping 17 of 19 shots for his 19th victory of the season.  The Sabres are on the road in Detroit on Tuesday night.