BUFFALO: The Detroit Red Wings put Jonas Gustavsson in a tough spot, and the backup goaltender bailed them out.
Gustavsson made 21 saves, including a stop on Steve Ott’s penalty shot, and the Red Wings sent the Buffalo Sabres to their fourth consecutive loss 3-1 yesterday.
Tied at 1 with 9:39 gone in the second period, Niklas Kronwall hooked Ott on a breakaway and Buffalo was awarded a penalty shot.
The Sabres captain went left, and Gustavsson stayed with him.
“I didn’t actually think he was going to go that way because that’s the way he went when he had the first opportunity, but he did,” Gustavsson said. “I tried to be patient and follow him and lucky enough, he didn’t score.”
Johan Franzen, Daniel Alfredsson and Darren Helm scored for the Red Wings. Henrik Zetterberg had an assist for his 700th career point.
Cody Hodgson scored Buffalo’s goal. The Sabres are winless since a victory in interim coach Ted Nolan’s first game on Nov. 15.
The Red Wings were playing their third game in four nights but appeared the fresher team against the struggling Sabres.
“We decided to play a really solid game tonight,” Franzen said. “We talked about being patient, not giving up too many chances for the other team. I think we stuck to the plan pretty good and finally managed to get the win.”
Gustavsson was a difference-maker, with several key stops on Buffalo’s two third-period power plays, including a save on Drew Stafford’s between-the-legs effort.
“He’s a gamer,” Franzen said. “He battles like crazy out there. He can really play the puck and read the play so we’ve got a lot of confidence in him.”
Detroit improved to 7-3-1 on the road. Buffalo has lost 11 of 13 home games.
Ryan Miller made 32 saves for the Sabres. He is 2-8-2 against Detroit in his career. AGENCIES
