Another loss. Another disappointing game for the Sabres. Don’t even bother with the “at least we got a point” phrase. The Sabres had a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period and were not able to hold off the Atlanta Thrashers.
In front of just 10,000 at Phillips Arena, the Thrashers capitalized on Sabres mistakes all night long, and Dustin Byfuglien capped it off with the game-winning goal in overtime.
It’s amazing to see how inconsistent this Sabres team can be. Buffalo had a two goal lead and then had a two man advantage, but couldn’t score. Since that moment in the game, Atlanta took control. The Buffalo power play failed to score, despite five chances. While the Thrashers took five penalties throughout the game, Buffalo took five in the second period alone.
The Thrashers scored twice with the man advantage, extending their streak to seven straight games with a power play goal.
Ryan Miller had arguably his worst game of the season, if not career, on Friday night. After misplaying the puck behind the net, the Thrashers took advantage and went up by a goal. Miller finished with 18 of 22 saves on the night.
If it weren’t for Derek Roy’s game tying goal with 7.3 seconds remaining, the Sabres wouldn’t have even gone to overtime.
Byfuglien made it look easy as he skated, untouched, right around Steve Montador and put it top shelf to end the game.
The penalties allowed Atlanta to get back into the game. Not only the penalties, but the special teams in general. Buffalo had the opportunity to put the game away with a two man advantage, but couldn’t score.
Craig Rivet was not in the lineup. Lindy Ruff stated “Rivet is a healthy scratch…..His play is not good enough.”
The Sabres will travel to Dallas to face the Stars on Saturday night. That game will be at 8:00 ET on MSG.