Girgensons scores twice, Sabres extend point streak in SO loss

Zemgus Girgensons has a clear objective in mind every time he steps onto the ice, which lately has included the start of games.
Sabres coach Don Granato called on the line of Girgensons, Cody Eakin, and Kyle Okposo to start for the seventh straight contest against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, a testament to their tone-setting style of play.
Girgensons described that style in four words: "Simple, hard, north hockey."
"I think that's how we want to start every game," he said. "Set the tone that we're gonna work hard, get the pucks deep and play a simple hockey game. Once you start playing simple, after that the game opens up a little bit and you can start making some more plays"

The trio's run as starters coincides with the Sabres' point streak, which extended to seven games with a 3-2 shootout loss to Jets at KeyBank Center. Girgensons scored both goals for the Sabres.
Buffalo last had points in seven straight contests in November 2018, when it won 10 games in a row.

Granato spoke before the game about Girgensons' impact since returning to the lineup on March 17, after an injury-induced absence of nearly two full months. Girgensons sat out with an injury on Jan. 15, returned for one game in Ottawa on Jan. 25, then missed the ensuing 18 contests.
"He's always working," Granato said of the Sabres' alternate captain. "He's always prepared to play. And by virtue of all that, he's a heck of a leader for us. … I thought that line has been good the last couple weeks, not only in their own play, but leading for us, showing us the way to play simple, hard, and direct."
They wasted little time before setting an offensive tone against the Jets. Okposo sent a drop-back pass to Girgensons for a shot on the rush during the first minute of the game. Girgensons scored his first goal less than five minutes later, blasting a second-chance attempt after his initial shot was blocked.

His second goal was the product of hard work in front of the net. Girgensons was posted up on a defender while Henri Jokiharju shot from the point, which put him in position to corral the rebound and deposit it with an awkward grip.

Girgensons has 16 points (10+14) in 42 games this season, his highest points-per-game average (0.38) since his sophomore campaign in 2014-15. He has three goals and an assist since returning from his injury.
"Any time you come back from injury it takes a little time to get back into game shape," he said. "So, it's just reps in the game that get you back into the game. I've been feeling pretty good."

The streak continues

Girgensons felt the Sabres deserved a better outcome given their play. They outshot the Jets, 37-27, and dominated the first period to the tune of a 22-8 advantage in shot attempts.
"I think we deserved a little better tonight," Girgensons said. "But that's how hockey sometimes goes, you know? Sometimes you win the games you shouldn't and you lose the ones you should."

Blake Wheeler and Mason Appleton scored goals for the Jets. The Sabres went to overtime for the sixth time in seven games, where they nearly won on a flurry of power-play chances that were stopped by goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Wheeler scored the deciding goal in the shootout, nearly coming to a full stop on his way to the net.
"I felt that Hellebuyck was very good for them," Granato said. "We could've had some separation. There wasn't, and credit to him."

Up next

The Sabres honor a legend prior to their home game against the Nashville Predators on Friday. Rick Jeanneret will become the eighth member of the Rafters Club, joining Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, Rene Robert, Tim Horton, Danny Gare, Pat LaFontaine, and Dominik Hasek.
Tickets are available here. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and be in their seats by 6:40 p.m. for the start of the ceremony.

Doors open at 5 p.m. The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica banner.
Coverage on MSG begins at 6:30 p.m. The puck drops shortly after 7.