After the week the Blackhawks had — talking about how bad things are and how they need to be better — if there was ever a must-win game in mid-November… that was simultaneously a trap game… The Buffalo Sabres are a good team. They can score and defend. There’s a lot to like about their team. But they lost 8-3 in Buffalo on Wednesday night — using two goalies — before flying to Chicago, where they gave Alex Lyon his first game of the season.
It seemed like neither team was interested in a slow game. We had four shots on net and only six faceoffs in the box score when Buffalo took a 1-0 lead nine minutes into the first period. A sloppy shift turned into a Sabres goal because of course it did. Little by little the Blackhawks started to chip away and get some possession time. On their first power play, the Hawks tied the game. The tie score lasted… 3:22 until Tage Thompson scored a power play goal to give the Sabres another lead. That’s where the score remained to the first intermission.
The second period came and went without either team changing their number on the scoreboard. The Blackhawks had almost 72 seconds of power play time carry over to the third period, however.
The Blackhawks came out to start the third period noticeably more physical, which is smart playing a team in the second half of a back-to-back. And they starter to generate more chances. In the middle of the period, the Hawks tied the game. Chicago got a power play with less than two minutes left in regulation but showed a painful lack of urgency, including an egregiously fancy pass attempt by Sam Rinzel that was quickly cleared by the Sabres. Regulation came to a close with both teams showing two on the board, so we got free hockey — that started with Rasmus Dahlin in the penalty box.
Star 1: Frank Nazar
Nazar scored the Blackhawks’ goal in the first period. He had their best look in the second period. He had four shots on goal at the end of the second period — twice as many as anyone else on the roster. And he won six of 11 faceoffs thru 40 minutes. He tipped in a shot for a second goal of the night to tie the game in the middle of the third period. He led the team in shots on net and was credited with one blocked shot and three hits. The Blackhawks needed this game and Nazar brought it tonight.
#Blackhawks tie the game ? Frank Nazar? Connor Bedard, Roman Kantserov pic.twitter.com/FXIqIALqBs
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 13, 2026GOAL: Frank Nazar deflects in a point shot to tie the game. His second of the night! pic.twitter.com/1xbElunU8U
— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) November 13, 2026Star 2: Ryan Donato
You score the overtime game-winner in a game the Blackhawks had to have, you get it. Nice shot!
Star 3: Ryan Greene
Greene’s line spent most of their 5-on-5 ice time against Thompson’s line and kept them off the board. For his part, Greene tied Nazar for the team lead in even-strength high danger chances, put two shots on net and had a good night in the faceoff circle.
Key Takeaways
Rinzel’s first shift of the game included a terrible defensive zone turnover and a tripping penalty. In the second period, just as it seemed the Blackhawks were getting something going offensively, he took a second penalty. If there was ever a case for accountability… Not a great night, even with the primary assist on Nazar’s second goal. The Blackhawks won 17 of 20 faceoffs in the first period. You read that correctly: 85 percent at the dot. Frondell won all five of his draws to lead the way. Buffalo closed the gap as the game progressed, but that was a strong start in an area where the Hawks have struggled a lot this year. The Blackhawks won 30 of 54 (56 percent) in regulation. Overall, the first period wasn’t bad. According to Natural Stat Trick, shot attempts were 14-13 in favor of Buffalo, scoring chances were six for each team and Buffalo had a 3-2 advantage in high danger chances (at all strengths). Neither team scored, but the Hawks played with fire and got away with it in the second period. Shot attempts were 21-9 in favor of Buffalo and the Sabres had a 5-2 advantage in high danger chances. Shots that went on net were 10-6 for the visitors. Kantserov’s assist on Nazar’s power play goal extended his personal point streak to nine games.Hence then, the article about blackhawks 3 sabres 2 ot three stars key takeaways was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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