Buffalo Sabres Fall Flat In Shootout
In a word, the Buffalo Sabres have struggled in the shootout this season.
The team has won just one of six shootouts it’s participated in.
This makes them the third-worst team in shootouts in the NHL this season, ahead of only Carolina (0-3) and Minnesota (0-2).
The Buffalo Sabres have won just 17 percent of their shootouts this season; the next worse is Detroit, having won 20 percent (1 of 5).
In contrast, both Colorado (2-0) and Chicago (1-0) are perfect in the shootout this season, while Florida is a respectable 6-1. Even Montreal has done well, winning four of five.
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Tuesday’s loss was just another in a string of disappointing shootout performances for the Buffalo Sabres this season.
The Buffalo Sabres won their first shootout of the season, resulting in a 2-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs back in October.
Tyler Ennis and Matt Moulson both scored, with Ryan O’Reilly, Jack Eichel and Evander Kane all failing to score.
Their next shootout came on November 19 against the St. Louis Blues. Alexander Steen had the lone goal in the shootout, with O’Reilly, Ennis and Kane all failing to score for the Buffalo Sabres.
Next up was the shootout loss to Detroit on the first of December. Brad Richards had the lone goal, with O’Reilly, Moulson and Eichel all getting zilch.
The Sabres then dropped a shooutout decision to Chicago later in December. Patrick Kane had the lone goal, with O’Reilly, Ennis and Girgensons all failing to score.
Another day, another shootout loss on February 4 as the Buffalo Sabres fell to the Boston Bruins. Ryan Spooner had the lone goal, with Kane, O’Reilly and Brian Gionta putting up nothing for the Sabres.
That leads us to Tuesday’s game, wherein both Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris scored for the Sens. Eichel and Moulson both failed to score for Buffalo, resulting in an L.
For the folks at home who are keeping track, that puts shootout stats at the following:
- Ennis: 1 for 3
- Moulson: 1 for 3
- O’Reilly: 0 for 5
- Eichel: 0 for 3
- Kane: 0 for 3
- Girgensons: 0 for 1
- Gionta: 0 for 1
What does that tell us?
Well, to me, it says that the Buffalo Sabres better get to practicing shootouts more. If your supposedly “top guys” such as O’Reilly can’t score on FIVE shootout attempts, there’s something wrong there.
And while everyone jumps to have Dan Bylsma put Eichel in the shootout, the kid’s 0-for-3 this season, which is admittedly less than spectacular.
We can also look at goaltending, but really, only to a point.
Looking at the results so far, many of the shootouts against the Sabres this season have been decided when the opponent scored just once and the Sabres got nothing. A netminder can go through 20 rounds of a shootout making save after save, but if your players can’t score, you’re never going to win.
Overall, Chad Johnson has allowed three goals on nine shots in three shootouts this season; Linus Ullmark allowed two goals on six shots in two games, and Lehner had the two goals on two shots Tuesday.
Next: Reinhart Leads Weekly Stars
How would you suggest the Buffalo Sabres improve their performance in shootouts? What players would you like to see get a chance at a shootout opportunity?