Sabres defeat Flyers, end record skid at 18

BUFFALO --The Buffalo Sabres got their first win in 19 games, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-1 at KeyBank Center on Wednesday.

The Sabres, who allowed four straight goals in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Flyers here Monday, were 0-15-3 since Feb. 23 and had extended the NHL shootout-era record of 18 games without a win. The shootout was implemented in the 2005-06 season, eliminating ties.
Sabres coach Don Granato got his first NHL win. Buffalo was 0-5-1 since he replaced Ralph Krueger on March 17. Granato missed one game in NHL COVID-19 protocol, a 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
"There's no question that it is important to put the streak behind so everybody can move on, but we absolutely had to block it out," Granato said. "I had to block it out. On the coaching side, of course I want to win, but again, we had to control what we could control and focus on making this group better and getting better as a team. I feel we are. We're in a much better place and getting better. We have to keep that focus."
Buffalo's last win was 4-1 at the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 23.
"Donnie's been positive," Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour said. "Obviously, it's tough for any team to have a coaching change and a system change and whatnot throughout a season. But he's been a great communicator."
Steven Fogarty scored his first NHL goal and had an assist, and Montour scored two shorthanded goals for the Sabres (7-23-5). Linus Ullmark made 31 saves.
"Obviously relieved," Montour said. "We've spoken enough times. Obviously, we're frustrated with the results we're having, losing streak and whatnot. But guys have been positive. All the guys tried to pick each other up after every game. We're doing a great job of that. So tonight was kind of a full 60 minutes where everybody was kind of moving, everybody was feeling good. Good thing we got the good result tonight."
Ivan Provorov scored, and Brian Elliott allowed four goals on 16 shots for the Flyers (17-14-4) before being replaced by Alex Lyon, who made nine saves on 10 shots in his NHL season debut.
"A lot of it, in my estimation, started in the offensive zone," Philadelphia coach Alain Vigneault said. "We were a little off on our execution, and that gave them a couple of rush opportunities. They did have control in our zone. Just a simple stick on puck would enable us to kill a lot of plays, to stop a lot of opportunities to get pucks at the net. We weren't good enough there, and they made us pay for it."

Sam Reinhart put the Sabres ahead 1-0 from the right face-off circle at 9:32 of the first period. Curtis Lazar made it 2-0 on a one-timer from the low slot at 11:59.
Provorov's point shot went in off Montour to make it 2-1 at 3:50 of the second period.
Fogarty scored from in front to make it 3-1 at 9:42.
"It was awesome," said Fogarty, who played his 22nd NHL game. "I mean, it's something you always dream of, but to be able to get it in a winning effort makes it that much more special. … We saw we pretty much dominated all three periods, and I think we've seen signs of that over the last three games."

Casey Mittelstadt pushed the lead to 4-1 from the right circle at 15:39. Elliott was pulled after the goal.
Montour scored into an empty net at 14:53 of the third period to make it 5-1. He scored again on the same penalty, with Lyon back in the net, at 15:30 for the 6-1 final. Scoring consecutive shorthanded goals in 37 seconds is the NHL record for a defenseman.
"I think we each have our own responsibilities in this struggle," Flyers forward Sean Couturier said. "Everyone just needs to find a way to bring their A-game and contribute to the team success right now. Every night we seem to have some guys on and off. It's tough to win in this league if you have too many guys off on some nights."

NOTES: Montour's two consecutive shorthanded goals are the 12th-fastest by any player since 1933-34 (the first season goals by type were officially tracked). … Sabres forward Kyle Okposo and defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Jacob Bryson each had two assists. … Lazar left the game with an undisclosed injury with 54 seconds remaining in the second period. There was no update. … It was Buffalo's first win against an opponent other than New Jersey since a 3-2 win against the New York Rangers on Jan. 26. … The Flyers assigned defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere to the taxi squad. Forwards Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick were scratched; Vigneault said they looked tired and needed a break. … The Winnipeg Jets hold the NHL record for the longest stretch without a win, 30 games (0-23 with seven ties) from Oct. 19-Dec. 20, 1980.