The Buffalo Sabres entered tonight’s matchup with the New York Islanders, looking to avoid a five-game losing streak.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, things would not start off positively.
Throughout the first twenty minutes of play, the Sabres would see themselves squander numerous opportunities. On three separate power plays, Buffalo was unable to score.
On the opposite side of the coin, the Islanders had a great first period. New York took advantage of a great shot and a power play for their two goals in the first period. The Islanders goals were scored by Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo.
The second period would not provide much of an improvement for the Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo’s play continued to be less than stellar. While the Sabres amassed 10 shots in the second frame, they could not develop any sustained offensive pressure.
There was a clear increase in the intensity between the two teams, but nothing was able to spark these two offenses.
Although the Sabres trailed 2-0 heading into the third, they would roll over a power play from the second and hoped to spark a comeback.
Fortunately for Buffalo, the third period would begin as a mirror of the preceding two periods.
Just 56 seconds into the final frame, Tyler Ennis took a Drew Stafford pass at the goal mouth and deposited it for a the Sabres first goal of the game. This would be Ennis’ 18th goal of the season.
Unfortunately for Buffalo, their comeback was halted after only 39 seconds. Ryan Strome would get on a mini-break from the blue line, and put the puck past Jhonas Enroth. This would put the Islanders up 3-1, early in the third period.
Following the goal, the Sabres would successfully increase their offensive pressure. This resulted in better scoring chances, but nothing in terms of goals.
Lack of goals would continue throughout the rest of the third, as Buffalo would not score again.
Following an empty-net goal, the Islanders would take this game 4-1. Buffalo’s losing streak is now at 5 games.
With this loss, Buffalo sits at 19-40-8 with 46 points.
The Sabres take the ice tomorrow night at the First Niagara Center, when they host the Montreal Canadiens. Puck drops shortly after 7 PM and the game will be broadcast on MSG.