Well, the Buffalo Sabres made it fun while it lasted. The points streak, that is…
The Buffalo Sabres suffered their first loss in regulation since March 17th when the Edmonton Oilers embarrassed them in a 6-1 beatdown. The Sabres also lost earlier in the month to the NHL’s mightiest franchise, the Florida Panthers in a game where the Sabres looked like a bottom-tier AHL team.
So what did Sunday’s loss to the Panthers bring? Did the Sabres fall back to Earth after a half-month of ascending through space at an alarming rate, or did the loss bring growth?
Did the Buffalo Sabres stagnate in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers?
The Sabres grew up in Sunday’s loss, if you’re looking for the short answer. After allowing four unanswered goals throughout the second period and the first minute of the third, the Panthers once again looked like the domineering team.
Only they weren’t. Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson stepped up at the 8:25 and 10:19 mark to bring the Sabres to within one. And for a second there, it looked like Buffalo was going at at least threaten overtime.
Unfortunately, Florida ended any hope for a Sabres comeback on a power play goal at the 18:25 mark, effectively ending their eight-game points streak. But the Sabres grew up in this one because they went down fighting their best fight. They didn’t lay down for the Panthers as they did in March, and that alone spells growth.
What made this game memorable? The Sabres won 53% of their face-offs, which gives them a two-game winning streak in the category. That’s growth.
They also converted on both power plays. And dating back to the win over Nashville, the Sabres have converted three of their last four. Immense growth for a team that struggled all season with the power play.
Despite the growth, the Sabres still struggled in staying aggressive with the puck. They allowed an astounding 22 shots on goal in the second period, compared to attempting just eight themselves.
And while they won in the giveaway/takeaway category, they did not match the Panthers in overall aggression. Hence, the growing pains.
But overall, the Sabres would have basically given up after falling down 4 to 1 early in the third this time last month. They kept fighting and they nearly turned the tables. Overall, the Sabres have nothing to be ashamed of.
Now, it’s time to focus on the next task: A double-header with the Carolina Hurricanes.
(Game statistics provided by NHL.com)