Three-Goal 3rd Period Rallies The Buffalo Sabres Past Winnipeg Jets

For two periods the Buffalo Sabres didn't have much going for them.  The Winnipeg Jets effectively shut down the Sabres and had a wide edge in shots on goal.  It all seemed to change when head coach Dan Balsyma ripped into his team during a TV timeout.  From that point the Sabres outshot the Jets 26-9 while scoring three times in the third period for a 4-3 comeback victory.

Trailing 3-1 in the third period Marcus Foligno got the comeback going with a breakaway goal that barely crossed the goal line and Zemgus Girgensons scored just 26 seconds later to tie it.  Brian Gionta scored the go-ahead goal just over four minutes after that.  From there the Sabres managed to hold off the Jets the rest of the way.

Ryan O'Reilly scored Buffalo's first goal.  He also set up Gionta for the game winner.

A couple of former Sabres, Drew Stafford and Joel Armia scored second period goals to give Winnipeg a 3-1 lead before the Sabres began their comeback.  Both Stafford and Armia were sent to the Jets along with Tyler Myers in the trade that brought Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian to Buffalo.

The Sabres have earned five of a possible six points in their three games since the New Year.  They host the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.