Sabres thrived on the road away from the noise in Game 3

After the Boston Bruins dominated the Buffalo Sabres for a large portion of Game 2 (save for a couple Sabres’ goals in garbage time), the series looked to be swinging the Bruins’ way as the two teams travelled to Boston. And yet, once Game 3 started, it was all Sabres.

Not only did that domination come in form of possession, as the Sabres had a 59.59% 5v5 expected goal share, but they also looked like the more skilled team in the win. Some of that can be credited to finding their game, but in a series where Buffalo is happy to have playoff hockey back, perhaps getting away from that in Boston benefitted the Sabres too.

Daily Faceoff managing editor Matt Larkin joined Daily Faceoff Live to talk about the Sabres and how getting away from the emotions of Buffalo benefitted them in Game 3.

Matt Larkin: The more I think about it, the more I think the road helped the Sabres. If you look at those first two games at home, they were so emotional at KeyBank Center. You had a crowd that was booing the power play, that had so much PTSD, 15 years of failure carrying with them, and I think it affected the way the Sabres played.

I think they were also affected by Marco Sturm. They took the bait when he talked about being bigger and stronger, and they played Bruins hockey in those first two games. Get on the road, they simplify. They realize they are the more skilled team. And if you look territorially, Buffalo dominated Game 3. They look like a different team. They look like the team that won the Atlantic Division. So if I’m a Sabres fan, I’m super encouraged by how different they looked in Game 3.

You can watch the full episode here…