Sharpen Up: December 7, 2016

Phew. Buffalo came out on top in overtime last night after trailing the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 late in the third period to earn two much-needed points. It was perhaps a signature game for Rasmus Ristolainen. The defenseman scored the overtime winner, picked up two assists and logged a ton (A TON) of ice time.
Here's what you need to know.

The Sabres had squandered a 2-0 lead in the second period, but managed to claw their way back into the game with 29 seconds left in regulation. With the extra attacker on the ice, Evander Kane found the back of the net for his second of the night, drilling home a rebound after Ryan O'Reilly cranked one off the post.
Then the Sabres found themselves on the power play with 18 seconds left in the third and they carried the man advantage into the overtime period, where it turned into a 4-on-3 situation.
Fifty-seven seconds into the extra frame, Ristolainen unleashed a bullet of a shot you have to see to believe that beat Cam Talbot top corner. I mean, just watch it again for yourself. Maybe don't even watch it. Read the recap first and then watch it.

But listen to it go bar down and picture it in your mind.
Tweet from @robray32: Your own mind is the most precious place in the world
The goal was Ristolainen's first of the year and it capped off a three-point night for the young defenseman. He now has seven points (1+6) in his last five games and eight points (2+6) in his last six games against the Oilers.

"It was about time," Ristolainen said. "A lot of chances, shots, and it finally went in."
He's tied for 16th in the NHL with 15 assists and tied for 11th among NHL defensemen with 16 points. Ristolainen is also fifth in the NHL in time on ice per game at 26:41 and the last three games have only helped boost that number.
Ristolainen skated 29:09 on Saturday against Boston, 29:51 in an overtime game against Washington and hit a season-high 29:58 last night.
On the official time on ice report, three of Ristolainen's shifts against Edmonton cracked the 2-minute threshold. That brought his average shift length up to 1:02.

"He's carrying the load for us back there and with continued injuries, you know how much he's playing is truly significant," Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. "He's had some long shifts, he's had some tough shifts, he's had some tough battles. He got a lot lighter when he scored that goal."
With the win, the Sabres improved to 5-2-2 in their last nine games. The Sabres are now 8-1-3 in their last 12 home games against Western Conference opponents.
Brian Gionta's goal in the first period gave him eight points (4+4) in his last seven games against the Oilers.

"We found a way to win," he said. "We got away from our game a bit in the second, got into penalty trouble and that throws the rhythm off of rolling the lines over and being able to get some momentum. A late penalty, obviously they capitalize on it, it puts us in a hole. But we stuck with it and found a way to win. It showed a lot of character."

With two goals, Kane now has a point in four of his last five games (3+2), including at least one in each of his last three home games.
Anders Nilsson made 34 saves in goal, including this one on a Connor McDavid shorthanded breakaway in the third.

And then he very wisely covered it up to slow down any momentum. Ohhhh my.

On tap today

The Sabres are off and will return to practice tomorrow. They don't play again until Friday when they host the Washington Capitals. It'll be the third and final match of the season between Buffalo and Washington (the Caps have taken the first two). Find some friends, grab some great seats and be here at KeyBank Center for the action. Where else would you rather be on a Friday night?
Also on Sabres.com today, Lauren Hall has a blog on the way, where she'll give you an inside look at how the Sabres organization is preparing for the holiday season and some other fun things. Because we like fun things.
Speaking of fun things, bidding is now open for the next BCBS Frozen Frenzy race. Click here to see how you can be part of the next race on Dec. 13.