When it rains, it monsoons for the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres went into Nashville on Thursday night looking to recover from a 2-0 loss to the Canadiens on Tuesday night. Instead, the Sabres lost the game in the first period alone and eventually lost to the Predators 6-1.
Matt Hackett made the start for the Sabres, but got no support in the first 20-minutes of play. With goals from Colton Sissons, Colin Wilson, Calle Jarnkrok, and Shea Weber, the Predators were able to chase Hackett after allowing four goals on 15 shots.
Rasmus Ristolainen cut the deficit to 4-1 with his second goal of the year just 2:06 into the second period. But over four minutes later, Shea Weber gave Nashville their four goal lead back again to make the score 5-1.
From there, Nashville put the game on cruise control and added an Eric Nystrom goal late in the third to give the Predators the win.
Nathan Lieuwen made 17 saves on 19 shots faced in relief of Hackett through the final two periods of play.
Ville Leino left tonight’s game, after playing just 58 seconds, with what was termed as “an upper-body injury”.
For the Sabres, they have now lost 10 of their last 11 games, and have been outscored 33-12 in that span.
The Sabres will finally head home to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday at the First Niagara Center. The Sabres will honor former goaltender Dominik Hasek as he will be inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame.
The ceremony for Hasek is scheduled for 6:50 p.m., and faceoff will occur shortly after. The game can be seen on MSG Network and heard on WGR 550 AM.