Buffalo wraps up the 2023-2024 season with victory over Tampa Bay

Remember when the Buffalo Sabres kicked off their 2023-2024 season at home against the New York Rangers? That was back in October but it seemed like it was yesterday. Why do I ask this? Well because tonight was the final time we would see the Sabres in action until the Fall. To close out the season, Buffalo was in Tampa Bay for a battle with the Lightning.

Coming off an overtime loss against the Florida Panthers, the Sabres looked to finish with a winning record for the second year in a row. Goaltender Eric Comrie was in between the pipes as he looked to showcase himself for Buffalo or a team with him being a free agent after the season concluded.

There was only one goal scored in the period and it was the Sabres thanks to Dylan Cozens. Comrie was a busy man in the period as he stopped all 16 Lightning shots. Unfortunately for Buffalo, Tage Thompson suffered a lower-body injury and he would be out for the rest of the game.

After Tampa Bay tied the game up courtesy of a turnover in front of the net from Rasmus Dahlin, the Lightning had a power play. However, it was the Sabres penalty kill that took advantage as Cozens scored his second goal of the night to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead. Before the end of the period, Jordan Greenway made it 3-1. Comrie made some nice saves as well to preserve the lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

Just after the halfway point of the third, Erik Cernak got Tampa Bay back within one after he took a shot from the point and somehow got past Comrie. Zach Benson responded 15 seconds later though to make it 4-2 Sabres. No more scoring occurred and Buffalo won the final game of their season.

Postgame thoughts

Even though he took a step back this year, it was good to see Cozens finish strong. It was also nice to see Comrie play well in what could be his final game as a member of the Sabres. Buffalo finished the 2023-2024 season 39-37-6 with 84 points.

There's no question it was a disappointing year with how last season ended. But the Sabres finished with a winning record for the second season in a row. It should be an interesting offseason but if this is it for Comrie on Buffalo, he played well.