National Hockey League
Philadelphia 3, Buffalo 0
When: 3:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 28, 2021
Where: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Referees: Tom Chmielewski, Brian Pochmara
Linesmen: Ryan Daisy, Jesse Marquis
Attendance: N/A

James van Riemsdyk scored and recorded an assist during Philadelphia's three-goal second period, and Carter Hart made 28 saves for his second career shutout, as the visiting Flyers blanked the Buffalo Sabres for a third straight meeting, 3-0 on Sunday.

Sean Couturier recorded his fifth goal in eight games this season and Michael Raffl also scored for Philadelphia, which outshot the hosts 38-28 to win its third in a row while coach Alain Vigneault earned his 700th career victory.

The Flyers lost 6-1 to the Sabres on Jan. 18, but since have recorded three straight 3-0 victories against Buffalo. On Saturday, Brian Elliott stopped 23 shots, but on Sunday, Hart had to do a little more work in recording his first shutout since Oct. 9, 2019, versus New Jersey.

Hart, who entered with a 4.42 road goals-against average, made a pair of diving saves in the second period and also stopped Buffalo's Taylor Hall on a point-blank chance early in the third. Philadelphia last blanked consecutive opponents in Oct. 12 and 14, 2015.

Even with the return of star Jack Eichel from a two-game absence with a lower-body issue, Buffalo struggled again, offensively. However, the Sabres did hit the iron three times while falling to 0-5-1 in their last six home contests. Buffalo was last shut out in back-to-back games in March 2019.

After a scoreless first period, Philadelphia struck just 22 seconds into the second period. On a rebound of Joel Farabee's shot, Couturier split two Buffalo players to tap the puck past goaltender Jonas Johansson (35 saves). Just 75 seconds later, the Flyers made it 2-0 when Raffl deflected in Robert Hagg's shot from the point.

van Riemsdyk, who assisted on Couturier's goal, deflected another Farabee shot nicely with the backhand and past Johansson with 4:37 left in the middle frame for his 10th goal. van Riemsdyk has scored half of those goals in the last seven games, and has recorded seven points in four contests.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Philadelphia   Buffalo
James van Riemsdyk 2 Points N/A
James van Riemsdyk 1 Goals N/A
Joel Farabee 2 Assists N/A
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Carter Hart 1.000 Save Percentage Jonas Johansson .921
Carter Hart 28 Saves Jonas Johansson 35
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Philadelphia 38 3 0-2 3-3 6 25
Buffalo 28 0 0-3 2-2 4 17
Upcoming Games
  • Buffalo will play their next game on the road against NY Rangers. The Sabres have a W/L % of .167 after a win and .417 after a loss.
  • Philadelphia will play their next game on the road against Pittsburgh. The Flyers have a W/L % of .600 after a win and .571 after a loss.