Girgensons tries to stand up for Jost, gets absolutely tuned up by Austin Watson

The Buffalo Sabres are hoping that this is FINALLY the year when they turn the turn the corner in the development and qualify for a Stanley Cup Playoffs spot.

The problem, of course, is that that Sabres are in a tough division that also features the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, all of whom are presumptive playoff locks. So, if the Sabres are going to get to the playoffs they'll likely have to pick up some points against these three teams this season.

Flash forward to this evening's action at KeyBank Center in Buffalo and the Sabres are handling the challenge quite well. The swordsmen were holding a 2-0 lead over the Lightning tonight when Lightning forward Austin Watson absolutely throttled Sabres forward Tyson Jost with a questionable hit. That's when veteran Zemgus Girgensons decided to square up with the much bigger and tougher Watson and... well... things didn't go great for the Latvian forward.

Check it out:

Look, I love Girgensons as much as the next guy, but he shouldn't be the one having to step up in moments like these. Good on him, though. You love to see this team finally coming together and having each others' backs in big time games like these.