The Buffalo Sabres were back home on Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins after a four-game road trip. However, their first game back was eerily similar to their last game on the road trip and it is a concerning trend for a team that is expected to be heading to the playoffs in a few weeks.
On Wednesday against the Bruins, the Sabres entered the third period down 2-1 in a game that the Bruins were controlling the flow. The Sabres weren't really in much of a rhythm and it just felt like a sloppy game from Buffalo.
However, as the Sabres were killing off a Logan Stanley penalty, Zach Benson was able to control the puck in the neutral zone and score on a beautiful breakaway goal to tie it up. The Sabres would then go right on the power play after Benson took a cross-check after scoring.
Less than 35 seconds later, the Sabres would have the lead as Jason Zucker took a pass from Tage Thompson for his second power play goal of the game and gave Buffalo their first lead of the game. However, the Bruins would capitalize with about six minutes left in the period to tie the game at three.
It would head to overtime and the Sabres wouldn't even touch the puck as the Bruins won the faceoff and Pavel Zacha scored the game-winner.
The game script was very similar to what happened in Anaheim on Sunday as the Sabres were down 4-2 going into the third period. They would somehow fight back to not only tie it, but take the lead 5-4 before the Ducks would tie it up before the end of the period.
Once again it would be Anaheim celebrating in the extra period as Troy Terry scored the game winner.
Buffalo Sabres are able to secure two points but can't afford to let third period leads slip away
In the last two games, the Buffalo Sabres deserve credit for being able to fight back and take the lead in the final period after being down, and down multiple goals in the case of the Ducks game. As they have shown on numerous occasions, like the game against the Lightning, the Sabres are going to continue to try to get back into a game, even when they don't have their best performance.
Unfortunately, those efforts aren't being fully rewarded as they are losing these leads before the end of the game. This is not something they can afford to become a habit with the playoffs right around the corner, when the games are tighter, and the competition is tougher.
At this point, there is no reason to panic, and back-to-back overtime losses are not a reason to forget what this team has accomplished over the past three months. However, it is something that will need to be addressed in the locker room before their next game on Friday against the Red Wings.