The Sabres were outshot 51-28 on the night, while the Blackhawks finished with a 95-41 advantage in shot attempts. Even so, the Sabres were able to build a 2-1 lead after two periods thanks to goals from Jason Pominville and Kyle Okposo and stellar goaltending from Robin Lehner.
Sabres coach Phil Housley said the lopsided totals had less to do with what Chicago did than Buffalo's own lack of execution. The Sabres expected a strong start from a skilled Chicago team that had gone winless in its last five games, and thus the game plan was to keep things simple.
"When we did get the puck in, we gave it to [Blackhawks goalie Corey] Crawford," Housley said. "And then we turned it over way too many times. Even on the rush we're turning pucks over and it's coming right back at us. We talked about their rush game, they love to feed off transition, and we didn't manage that very well."
Even with the lack of execution, the Sabres played physical and defended hard. That, combined with the effort in goal from Lehner, was enough to carry a one-goal lead deep into the third period. When Benoit Pouliot drew an interference call to give the Sabres a power play with 4:35 remaining, it felt like a goal could end it.
Instead, the Sabres had six men on the ice as blown coverage led to Wingels' tip-in goal. It was the eighth shorthanded goal allowed by the Sabres this season.
"It's not winning hockey," Pominville said. "You get a [power play] with a little over four minutes left, you want to make sure you kill the clock. If anything just move it around and if you don't get much at least you don't give up anything. We gave up a goal and we see the result."
The Sabres survived the final minutes of regulation, thanks in part to good fortune and in part to Lehner. In overtime, Eichel was able to find a burst of energy at the end of a long shift and drive end-to-end past the Chicago defense, drawing a holding call against Forsling as he approached the net.
Eichel was awarded a penalty shot with a chance to win the game, but his five-hole attempt was stifled by Crawford.
"The ice isn't too good here so I came in wanting to shoot it," he said. "I was hearing different things from what type of goalie he was, what he gives up. I thought I saw his legs open. I probably second guessed myself a little bit. It's frustrating. It's more than frustrating."
What was equally frustrating was the result for Lehner, who took the loss despite making 48 saves. Even on Forsling's overtime winner, Lehner was screened by Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and never had a chance to see the puck.
Eichel called Lehner the best player on the ice, for either team, and both he and Pominville admitted the team needed to be better for their goaltender.
"I felt good today," Lehner said. "I've been feeling good lately. It's tough when we're not getting wins. I work hard in practice to try to improve my game and I think everyone is. That's all that matters right now."
