When Jack Eichel tipped his second goal of the first period on Saturday afternoon, precedent suggested that the Buffalo Sabres would hang on to their 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Entering the game, the Sabres were 12-0-3 when scoring first and 10-0-2 when leading after the first period. They were undefeated in four afternoon games this season, and they had beaten the Flyers after a similarly dominant start in their first meeting on Nov. 21.
Instead, the Flyers responded with six unanswered goals, four of which came during a span of 8:11 in the third period of a 6-2 Philadelphia win. Eichel spoke afterward about the need for the Sabres to focus less on their early-season results and more on the style of play that got them there.
Sabres squander early lead in loss to Flyers
Recap of Buffalo's 6-2 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
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