Buffalo Sabres: 3 positive takeaways despite loss to Bruins

The Buffalo Sabres lost their second straight game, and have now been outscored 9-2. But enough negativity for one evening – let’s get positive.

The Buffalo Sabres found themselves down 5-0 with eight minutes to go in the second period. And if you did the math, the Boston Bruins had outscored them 19-1 since the Blue and Gold beat them on New Year’s Eve 2022 in a thriller.

Then an unsung hero named Victor Olofsson at least made the final score a little more respectable. Olofsson who has struggled this season in every facet, scored two goals, ensuring the Sabres weren’t blanked for the second straight game. But that wasn’t the only positive takeaway here.

3 good things that happened in Buffalo Sabres loss to Bruins

1 – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looked good in relief

Devon Levi had to start this game, no questions asked. As a rookie goaltender, he had to face the intra-divisional powerhouse that is Boston sooner than later, and of course, the results didn’t turn out well.

At least Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stepped in and posted 14 saves on 14 shots on net. At the point he entered the game, it was pretty much decided, but he still faced a few challenging sequences, and didn’t flinch. It was a momentum-builder for the 24-year-old who should start the following contest.

2 – Sabres got pucks to the net

While it’s frustrating to say that the Sabres once again got 30-plus shots off for the second straight game and only have two goals to show for it, it’s also a positive. Before, this team was struggling to get anything going, so at least they’re shooting more for the moment.

Once they get better positioning in front of the net, more of those shots will convert into goals. At which point, the Blue and Gold will start playing competitive hockey again following a couple of lean games.

3 – Blue and Gold were more physical

The Buffalo Sabres only logged 15 hits tonight compared to Boston’s 13, but a lot of those finished checks counted. Against a better, more experienced team, you need to let them know you’re not backing down, and the Sabres introduced plenty of Bruins into the boards.

That physicality will eventually work its way into their opponents’ minds, and that will play into the Sabres hands. This team has had a tough time sustaining physical play, so we’ll see if that changes in the coming games.

(Statistics provided by NHL.com)