Anaheim pummeled starting goaltender Patrick Lalime for four goals in the first 10:26 of the game and then held off a furious Sabres comeback to send Buffalo to their first regulation loss in 11 games Tuesday night, 5-4.
After seemingly getting blown off the ice after the four-goal deficit, coach Lindy Ruff pulled Lalime in favor of Ryan Miller. Buffalo came out in the second period on fire, using goals by Tim Connolly and Clarke MacArthur in the first minute to cut the lead in half.
Steve Matador made it 4-3 just 6:12 into the second with his third goal of the year before Jonas Hiller was finally able to put a muzzle on the Sabres’ scoring.
