OTTAWA, Ontario — Robin Lehner won’t see his former team anytime soon, and that’s a tough break for him and the Buffalo Sabres.
Lehner made 39 saves and Matt Moulson and Justin Bailey scored in the third period to rally the Sabres past the Ottawa Senators 3-2 on Tuesday night.
This was the fifth and final meeting between the two teams this season, with Buffalo going 4-0-1. Lehner is 4-0-2 against the club that drafted him in the second round of the 2009 NHL draft. He was traded away with David Legwand in June 2015 to Buffalo for the 21st overall pick in that year’s draft.
Ryan O’Reilly also scored for the Sabres.
Bobby Ryan ended a five-game run without a point by getting a goal and an assist for Ottawa. Dion Phaneuf also scored, and Craig Anderson made 22 saves.
Coming into the game, Buffalo had given up 62 second-period goals, third worst in the league. Tuesday night was no different as the Sabres were outshot 16-7.
Ottawa made it 63 when Phaneuf jumped on a soft rebound and put the puck past Lehner to give the Senators a 2-1 lead.
The Sabres opened the scoring on their first shot when O’Reilly used Phaneuf as a screen and beat Anderson low glove side. The Senators tied it at the 14-minute mark of the period when Ryan tipped Erik Karlsson’s shot from the point.
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Ottawa Senators Goalie Craig Anderson (41) prepares to make a save on Buffalo Sabres Center Jack Eichel (15) during first period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Ottawa Senators crash the net of Ottawa Senators Goalie Craig Anderson (41) during first period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Zack Smith (15) and Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Dmitry Kulikov (77) move to chase down a loose puck during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Mark Stone (61) exchanges words with Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) [NOT PICTURED] during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Buffalo Sabres Goalie Robin Lehner (40) attempts to make a save as Ottawa Senators Winger Tom Pyatt (10) screens him during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Josh Gorges (4) blocks in front of Buffalo Sabres Goalie Robin Lehner (40) during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Ottawa Senators Center Kyle Turris (7) and Buffalo Sabres Center Derek Grant (27) stick battle during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Buffalo Sabres Goalie Robin Lehner (40) has a puck bounce over him during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Ottawa Senators Center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) controls the puck in front of the Buffalo net as Buffalo Sabres Defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) tries to defend him during second period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 14: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Bobby Ryan (9) moves the puck up ice as he’s shadowed by Buffalo Sabres Center Evan Rodrigues (71) during third period National Hockey League action between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators on February 14, 2017, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/http://richardawhittaker.ca)