The Buffalo Sabres kicked off a five-game road trip with an afternoon meeting with the Carolina Hurricanes. It looked like they were ready to put their loss to the Wild behind them as Rasmus Dahlin scored the first goal of the game just 1:33 into the first period.
However, Brandon Bussi locked in and almost single-handedly won the game for the Hurricanes as he would not allow another goal the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes responded in the first period to tie it up with Andrei Svechnikov beating Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
It remained tied at one for a majority of the game until Seth Jarvis scored on the power play to score the game-winning goal. The Sabres have a quick turnaround as they head to Nashville to play the Predators tomorrow night.
Both goalies deliver, Brandon Bussi just a little better than UPL
The margin of error was so small in this game as both teams got incredible performances from their netminders; unfortunately, it was the Hurricanes' goalie who was slightly better. The Sabres certainly didn't test him as much as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was, as he had to face 19 shots and stopped 18 of them. The saves he did make were highlight reel worthy, and it was Tage Thompson who was robbed the most, including on a power play shot that even the TNT crew thought was a goal.
As for Luukkonen, he allowed two goals but faced 10 more shots than Bussi as he saved 26 of 28. It has been an up-and-down season for Luukkonen, but this was a game in which he kept the Sabres in the game as they struggled to put shots on net.
Rasmus Dahlin shows his scoring touch then his nasty streak
The Buffalo Sabres jumped out to a 1-0 lead after Rasmus Dahlin beat Bussi in the first two minutes of the game. The Sabres captain looks to be heating up as he now has a five-game streak with at least a point, with three goals and three assists over this stretch.
While he didn't add any more goals after that, Dahlin continued to make an impact and showed off the physical part of his game with three hits. In the second period, Andrei Svechnikov hit Dahlin into the boards, but Dahlin wasn't done and was able to return the favor and stood over the Hurricanes forward after the hit.
When Dahlin is playing like this, the Sabres are going to win more than they lose, and it is great to see from their captain.
Buffalo Sabres show once again they can play with anyone in the NHL
The Buffalo Sabres have now lost two straight, which is the first time they have had back-to-back losses since December 8th, when they lost three straight at the start of a road trip. While it is now two losses in a row, the Sabres have made it clear they can play with anyone in the league.
On Saturday, it was a 5-4 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild, and then today it was only a 2-1 loss due to an incredible performance by their goaltender. The margin of error in both games was so small, and it was only one play that really went the other team's way that decided the outcome.
It doesn't get easier for Buffalo as they are on the road to play the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, followed by road games against the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, and Toronto Maple Leafs. If they continue to play this way, they should be able to get back on track and in the win column.