The Buffalo Sabres returned to play after a 15-day hiatus last night against the New York Islanders. The Sabres fell 3-1 to the Islanders in Buffalo on Monday night. Buffalo looked sluggish during their first game in over two weeks, and some say that might have been expected.
The Sabres still had six players in the league’s health and safety protocol. But with that being said, the lack of quality depth the Sabres had available last night should not be the excuse that they point to for why they lost. Buffalo had one of the worst 3rd periods that they have had in a long time.
They opened the period down by two goals and with a 90-second power play that carried over from the end of the 2nd period, but Buffalo cut that opportunity short by committing a penalty for too many men on the ice. They showed minimal urgency and created zero quality scoring chances in the third.
And I’m not exaggerating when I say zero. The Sabres did not have a single shot on goal in the third period. Once the third period started, Buffalo just looked gassed.
The Sabres are faced with a quick turnaround as they face the Islanders again tonight. It looks as if Brandon Montour and Jake McCabe are both cleared to play but will be game-time decisions for tonight’s matchup.
The goalie matchup tonight is expected to be between two goalkeepers that have struggled so far this season. The Islanders are expected to start Ilya Sorokin, and the Sabres will likely have Carter Hutton in net. Both netminders have a goals allowed average of over three and a save percentage of under.900.
Date: February 16th
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: KeyBank Center
TV Broadcast: MSG
Radio: Sabres Radio Network (channels vary in different cities, check the list here)
Streaming: fuboTV
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