The Buffalo Sabres have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL and the only one that might have been hotter is the Tampa Bay Lightning. Entering this game, the Sabres had won 21 of their past 26 games while the Lightning had won 17 of their last 19 games.

It was a very close game from start to finish as neither team had more than a one-goal lead and it required a goal with 25 seconds left in the third period by Darren Raddysh to send it to overtime for Tampa Bay.

The overtime period was exactly like the other three periods in the game, as it was back and forth with both teams getting their chances. Unfortunately, it would be the Lightning that would capitalize in the closing seconds with Jake Guentzel scoring the game-winning goal.

The Sabres now return home with three points in two games to play the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final game before the Olympic break on Thursday. These are some of the takeaways from the game on Tuesday.

Peyton Krebs rewarded by moving up to top line after strong game against Panthers

The Buffalo Sabres saw Zach Benson leave the game on Monday in the third period against the Florida Panthers. Prior to the game, head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Benson would not be available in this game, and with his absence, it created a hole on the top line.

They certainly had options and elected to go with Peyton Krebs after he had his first career three-point game against the Florida Panthers. However, Benson was certainly missed as the top line didn’t have the same impact as they did in previous nights, as Krebs, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch combined for no points and only seven shots.

Hopefully, the injury isn’t too serious for Benson and he can return after the Olympic break. The team missed his gritty style of play in this game and will need him down the stretch.

Mattias Samuelsson with another two-goal game

Entering the season, Mattias Samuelsson had never scored two goals in a single NHL game in his career and, in fact, had only three goals total over his first four seasons in the league. However, this season has been a completely different story as he is a scoring threat now for this team.

On the season, he had nine goals entering the game against the Lightning and added two more on Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Sabres desperately needed them as they were struggling to get shots on goal with only 26 all game.

The way the Sabres can have their defensemen jump into the offensive zone and make plays is something that opposing teams struggle with, and gives Buffalo an advantage, as they showed against the Lightning.

Buffalo Sabres with a power play in five straight games with Josh Doan’s power play goal

The Buffalo Sabres’ power play production has been a sore spot for this team for most of the season, but it has been better recently. In fact, they have now had a power play goal in each of the past five games.

On Tuesday against the Lightning, it came at a huge point in the game as the Sabres and Lightning were tied at two late in the third period. The Sabres did a great job controlling the puck for most of the final minute of the power play, and with two seconds left, Tage Thompson was able to find Josh Doan in front of the crease for the redirection and the goal.

If the power play can continue to produce, it will only help the Sabres chances once the playoffs roll around.

Colten Ellis outplays Andrei Vasilevsky to help the Sabres stay in this game

Andrei Vasilevsky is expected to be a Vezina Trophy finalist and has been one of the best goalies in the NHL this season. However, on Tuesday night, the best goalie on the ice was Colten Ellis, who was making just his 12th career start.

There is no question that Ellis was put in a very tough spot against an excellent Lightning team and one that can score as they have had four or more goals in five of their last seven games. However, Ellis rose to the occasion and made big save after big save and stopped 31 of 35 shots.

While the Lightning did score with 25 seconds left to send it to overtime, and then the break away goal in the closing seconds of overtime, it was still an impressive performance for a young goalie on the road against one of the best teams in the league.