Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Hutton Holds The Fort

October 7, 2018, 12:49 AM ET [6 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The New York Rangers registered landed 44 shots on Buffalo Sabres goalie Carter Hutton on Satuday night. Hutton turned aside 43 shots, including the desperation 20 shots he faces in a high intensity third period.

Hutton's best save of the game came with the Sabres leading 2-0 in the second period when a regrettable turnover at the Sabres blue line resulted in a 3-on-0 breakaway. Hutton reacted the way that his training taught him to. He didn't panic. After the game, Hutton said he was able to dig his inside eadge into the ice which allowed his to make an aggressive lateral move to get himself square to the play.


"I don't know if I can say exactly what was going through my head there, it might not be allowed on the air," Hutton said. "It was one of those ones you just look up and you're like, "Oh, dear." I just tried to be patient on it."





The Rangers landed 10 shots on goal combined during their three power play opportunities.

At the end of the night, Hutton was the best player on the ice for the Buffalo Sabres, who won their first game of the season in convincimg fashion.

Final score: 2-1 Buffalo.

In the first two games of the season, Hutton has stopped 65 of the 69 shots he has faced. Hutton is the proud owner of a .942 save percentage. Hutton signed with the Sabres as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 28 year old puck stopper has wasted little time establishing himself as Buffalo's number one tender.


Good on Hutton and the Sabres for their commitment to strong team defense against the Rangers. The Buffalo forwards maintained tight gaps on Ranger forwards all game long. The Buffalo forecheck was heavy and disruptive. Sabres forwards were fast and aggressive on the back check.


At the lonely en of the rink, Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 of 28 shots he faced including all 13 shots he faced in the third period. Lundqvist also stopped all 19 shots he faced at even strength. Lundqvist has stopped 56 of 60 shots he has faced in two appearances this season (.933 SV%), including 47 of 49 shots he has faced at even strength (.959 SV% at even strength).


Speaking of new Sabres who are making a difference this season, Conor Sheary scored two power play goals to give Buffalo a 2-0 lead.








With 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation, captain Jack Eichel added an empty net goal when he blocked a point shot from Rangers D-man Kevin Shattenkirk. Eichel turned the D-zone blocked shot into a pick six on the open net.




Eichel skated a career high 25:45 TOI with 9 shots attempts. Eichel also won 57% of his draws.

Eichel certainly dazzled his former college head hdead David Quinn, who is now head coach of teh NY Rangers.

The Vegas Golden Knights visit Buffalo for a Canadian Thanksgiving matinee on Monday.


Buffalo will then head west for six games starting in Colorado on Tuesday night.
Join the Discussion: » 6 Comments » Post New Comment
More from GARTH'S CORNER
» Hailing Taxis
» He With The Gold Makes The Rules
» Sedentary Seven
» The Sedentary Seven
» GadZuccs