Eichel, Lehner lead Sabres past Oilers

EDMONTON -- Jack Eichel had a goal and three assists, and Robin Lehner made 33 saves to help the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-0 win against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on Tuesday.
Ryan O'Reilly had two goals and Sam Reinhart and Zemgus Girgensons scored for Buffalo (13-26-9), which has won back-to-back games for the second time this season. Buffalo defeated the Calgary Flames 2-1 in overtime on Monday.

WATCH: [All Sabres vs. Oilers highlights]
It was Lehner's second shutout of the season and seventh of his NHL career.
"We come in on a back-to-back against a team that is probably energized, they had a few days [off], we had an emotional win last night, so we want to come and play a good road first [period]," said Eichel, who has five goals and nine assists during a seven-game point streak. "Obviously to get a power-play goal early to get yourself feeling good, it's important."

Cam Talbot gave up four goals on 22 shots before being pulled at 11:39 of the second period. Al Montoya made 11 saves for Edmonton (21-24-3).
"We've done this before; it is kind of the same old story," Oilers captain Connor McDavid said. "We will pick ourselves back up and get back at it again. That is all you can do."
Reinhart scored on the power play at 14:56 of the first period to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead. The Sabres were 3-for-4 on the power play.
O'Reilly scored on a rebound 17 seconds into the second period to give Buffalo a 2-0 lead. Girgensons made it 3-0 at 7:25 of the second on a 2-on-1 rush with Kyle Okposo.

"It's been a tough year, so for us to come out and respond after a hard, gritty effort (in Calgary) and play the same way," Reinhart said. "I think [Lehner] did a great job on the kill in the first. We were able to get one going into the second and really build off that. I think everyone chipped in tonight and when everyone is doing that, it's a lot more fun."
Eichel gave the Sabres a 4-0 lead on the power play at 11:39 on a shot from the left face-off circle.
Montoya replaced Talbot following Eichel's goal.
O'Reilly scored on the power play at 17:25 of the second to make it 5-0.
"I'm not sure what words to use to describe it," Oilers coach Todd McLellan said. "It doesn't feel really good obviously deep in the gut, and for anyone that watched it, it was quite disappointing."

It was the second time this season Eichel, the No. 2 selection at the 2015 NHL Draft, had four points in a game. He had three goals and an assist in a 5-4 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 15.
It was the fourth game featuring McDavid, the No. 1 pick in at the 2015 Draft, and Eichel.
"Jack has been leading us in the right way," Sabres coach Phil Housley said. "He's playing well at both ends, his defensive responsibilities, he's taking that to heart and when he gets the opportunity to use his speed through the neutral zone and attack the game, he's done a terrific job. He's creating offensively. He's tough to play against in the offensive zone, he uses his body really well and he's finding the net. His linemates are also doing a good job of creating space for him as well."

Goal of the game

Eichel's goal at 11:39 of the second period.

Save of the game

Lehner's save against Leon Draisaitl at 11:20 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

O'Reilly's goal 17 seconds into the second period.

They said it

"It's important for us to realize what got us to this position, winning this game and why we had success tonight. We took care of the puck, but I thought we did a real good job of getting the puck back when we didn't have it. We took their time and space together, we were good in the neutral zone and I thought our D did a great job breaking the puck out, and it's a recipe for success in a game like this." -- Sabres forward Jack Eichel
"It was pretty clear, I don't think we had enough respect for this hockey team. That's what happens when you aren't ready to play the other team, no matter who they are or where they are in the standings." -- Oilers forward Milan Lucic

Need to know

Lehner is the first Sabres goaltender to shut out the Oilers since Dominik Hasek on March 27, 1998. … McDavid's four-game point streak ended. … Ristolainen has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in his past 11 games … Buffalo has won its past four games against Edmonton after losing the previous four.

What's next

Sabres: At the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, MSG-B, NHL.TV)
Oilers: Host the Calgary Flames on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, NHL.TV)