DETROIT — Perhaps pigs do fly and the world really is flat. Because the Buffalo Sabres actually closed their season by putting together a winning streak and winning a game on the road.
The Sabres posted back-to-back wins for the first time since mid-December by clubbing the Detroit Red Wings, 7-1, Saturday night in their season finale at Little Caesars Arena.
Jeff Skinner scored two goals to get to 40 on the season for the first time in his career. No. 39 came at 11:29 of the second period and Skinner got to 40 as his wrist shot from the right circle leaked through Detroit backup goalie Kaden Fulcher with 9:33 left to play.
Sam Reinhart grabbed the puck out of the net for safekeeping and Jack Eichel pounded Skinner's helmet in celebration and hugged him on the bench to honor the milestone. Skinner is the Sabres' first 40-goal man since Thomas Vanek, now on the Red Wings' injured list, netted 40 in 2008-09.
"It's something they're a huge part of," Skinner said of Reinhart and Eichel. "I played most of the year with those two guys. Their talent and vision are a big part of a lot of those goals so it's something that's sort of shared. They're my stats but you're not going to get those without good teammates nad good linemates. In that sense, guys get to share it."
Jeff Skinner's 40th of the year makes it 6-1! #sabres #lgrw pic.twitter.com/f96MI2AaTe
— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) April 7, 2019
Skinner is Buffalo's 11th 40-goal man. He finished his season with 32 goals at even strength, the highest total by a Sabre since Alexander Mogilny had 49 in 1992-93.
It was a rare dominant performance for Buffalo away from KeyBank Center, snapping a 14-game road winless streak that dated to a Jan. 29 win in Columbus. Combined with Thursday's 5-2 win over Ottawa, it marked the first time the Sabres have won two straight games in regulation since Oct. 21 and 25.
The Sabres finish the season with a record of 33-39-10 and 76 points, snapping a tie with the Red Wings for sixth in the Atlantic Division and 27th place in the NHL's overall standing. The Sabres thus will have a 8.5 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick in Tuesday night's NHL Draft Lottery in Toronto while Detroit will be at 9.5 percent.
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Skinner on No. 40: "It's a nice round number I guess. You're not going to score that many goals without some pretty plays from your linemates so you share it with the guys you're out there with. We're all creating those goals. (Evan Rodrigues and Kyle Okposo) were telling me before the game they weren't going to shoot anything. They were looking for me."
On the scoresheet: Skinner, Rasmus Dahlin and Rasmus Ristolainen all had two points. Other goals were by Reinhart (22), Dahlin, Conor Sheary, Zemgus Girgensons and Brandon Montour. Buffalo had a 2-1 lead after one period and broke the game open with a three-goal second.
More history for Dahlin: Dahlin scored his ninth goal of the season with a wicked snapshot on a first-period power play and finished his rookie year with 44 points, finishing second all-time among 18-year-olds to coach Phil Housley. Dahlin also became the first 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history to play all 82 games in a season.
"It's been a grind some games but I've been healthy. I'm just glad I made it," Dahlin said. "It's a lot different. You have to take care of your body a lot more."
Dahlin on becoming part of the team at age 18: "These are amazing guys. They take care of me the whole year. I came in as a rookie. It felt like home the day after I came. It's been awesome."
Final numbers: Eichel finished at 28-54-82, the highest total in his four seasons in each category. In addition to his 40 goals, Skinner equaled his career high of 63 set twice in Carolina. Reinhart finished with 22 goals, three behind last year, but had career-highs in assists (43) and points (65).
In the nets: Linus Ullmark snapped a seven-game winless streak (0-7-1), getting his first win since March 1 to finish his season at 15-14-5. He made 23 saves as Buffalo had a 37-24 edge in shots on goal.
What's Next?: The Sabres flew home after the game and will be off Sunday. They will hold exit interviews with Housley and GM Jason Botterill on Monday as well as speak to the media before they break up for the long offseason. The 2019-20 schedule, featuring the team's November trip to Sweden for two games against Tampa Bay, will be announced during draft week in Vancouver in June.
Story topics: Buffalo Sabres / Detroit Red Wings / The Wraparound
