The Sabres lost their fourth straight game, falling to the Flyers 5-1 Thursday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Western New York native Justin Bailey played in his first game as a professional after being called up from Rochester.
The high point of the game for the Sabres was the first period when they outshot Philadelphia 14-6. Bailey just missed converting a goal on the power play after a nice setup from Sam Reinhart. Unfortunately, Buffalo failed to convert on any of their three power plays in the 1st period.
The Flyers took the lead just 1:23 into the 2nd period, with R.J. Umberger scoring his first of the year. Just 48 seconds after that Brayden Schenn sprinted through the Sabres zone to score his 15th to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead. Six minutes after that, Wayne Simmonds continued the Philadelphia onslaught with his 20th giving the Flyers a 3-0 lead.
Buffalo had two consecutive power plays in the 2nd period but failed to convert on either. Overall, Buffalo was abysmal on the power play, going 0-6.
To pour salt in the Sabres’ wounds, the Flyers scored 50 seconds after the fifth Flyers’ penalty, with Michael Ruff netting his seventh, giving the Flyers a stranglehold on the lead, 4-0.
After a strong start coming off injury, Robin Lehner had a second consecutive rough outing, allowing five goals on 28 shots.
Buffalo’s only goal came from Jamie McGinn midway through the third period. McGinn rebounded a nice shot by Jake McCabe in front. Steve Mason was a major reason for the Flyers win, allowing only the McGinn goal and stopping 41 of 42 shots on the evening.
At the end of the game, Radko Gudas took a blatant cheap shot at Buffalo’s Dan Catenacci. The Sabres responded appropriately with Jake McCabe immediently stepping in for Catenacci’s defense with both Gudas and McCabe receiving five minute fighting majors. McCabe also got an instigator and a ten minute misconduct.
Fortunately, the Sabres have no time to dwell on this as they have a quick turnaround, hosting the Canadiens at First Niagara Center Friday night at 7 p.m.