Sabres’ skid continues, fall 3-2 to New Jersey

After the Buffalo Sabres ended their homestand unable to pick up a win, they entered Tuesday’s contest in New Jersey on an 11-game losing streak as pressure on the entire organization continues to mount. While three of their six wins this season have come against New Jersey, the Sabres need a victory soon, even though the season is in a downward spiral. Despite a strong showing and two goals scored, special teams continued to struggle as they suffered a 3-2 loss against the Devils.

While the Sabres started better than their last game that saw two shots in the opening period, Buffalo could not capitalize on their early chances as they trailed after twenty minutes despite 11 shots on goal in the first period. After taking a puck to the mouth after being cross-checked from behind that saw him miss the rest of the period, Taylor Hall returned to the ice at the start of the second.

However, their luck started to change in the next period because after two games passed without Buffalo scoring a goal, Tobias Rieder and Jeff Skinner scored 57 seconds apart, which gave the Sabres a 2-1 lead at the 7:10 mark of the second period. However, it was brief as Sami Vatanen tied the game at 2 for the Devils halfway through the second and would be the last goal of the period.

Jonas Johansson started in net after Carter Hutton allowed six goals against the Capitals on Monday. On 27 shots faced, he made 24 saves in the loss, as his season record now sits at 0-5-1.

Although the final period started with the score evened up, New Jersey took the lead back with under five minutes completed, courtesy of a Miles Wood power play goal, which would hold as the game-winner in this game for New Jersey.

Despite a solid overall performance, Buffalo’s special teams struggled, with the power play’s goal drought continuing in this game. However, the Sabres penalty kill, which finished 2-for-3, saw New Jersey’s power play, which ranked 28th heading into this game, was responsible for the game-winner, symbolizing the Sabers’ struggles as of late and why their losing streak has now reached 12 games (0-10-2).

The Sabres will return home to host their first two games this week against the Boston Bruins. The first game is set for puck drop at 7 p.m. on Thursday as the Sabres look to end this long losing streak that they are currently facing.