The Buffalo Sabres appeared as if a weight had been lifted off of their shoulders after snapping their 13-game winless skid against the NY Islanders before the NHL’s Christmas break, bolting out to a 4-0 first-period lead against the Chicago Blackhawks and winning their second straight 6-2 in front of a post-holiday sellout crowd at KeyBank Center on Friday.

The Sabres knew the Blackhawks had an early morning flight because of the NHL’s travel restrictions during the holiday break. That left an already beatable team more prone to start slow. Buffalo took advantage with a 12-4 advantage in scoring chances in the first period, according to Natural Stat Trick.

What a difference a win makes. The second sellout crowd of the season at KeyBank Center erupted into the wave and sang along in unison throughout a jubilant third period. And there wasn’t an inflatable palm tree or frown-faced paper bag in sight.

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Buffalo Sabres met for the second time this season, and both teams are in the bottom three of the standings, so it wasn’t meant to be a barn burner… or so people thought.