Buffalo’s offense fell flat once again as the Sabres endured a 2-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings inside the Staples Center.
It was the second game in as many nights for the Sabres, who are in the middle of a 4-game road trip and have thus far just produced one goal in the opening two games. Los Angeles netminder Jonathan Quick completely stifled the Sabres, fending off 29 shots and earning his second shutout in his last five starts.
Goaltending was strong on both ends of the ice tonight, with Jhonas Enroth largely acting as the only reason why the Sabres stayed within striking distance of the defending Stanley Cup champions. Enroth finished the night with 37 saves on 39 Los Angeles shots.
Offense was where the two team’s differed dramatically. The Kings put themselves on the scoreboard early (36 seconds into the first period) while making the most of a power play opportunity. A Kings’ faceoff win quickly got the puck to Jeff Carter, who hurled a shot from near the boards that slipped past a screened Enroth.
The Kings doubled their lead with another power play goal at 15:11 of the second period. Defensemen Drew Doughty halted a Buffalo clearing attempt before storming toward the net with crisp stick handling that fooled more than one Sabre. Doughty eventually tossed a pass behind him that Kings’ Center Anze Kopitar accepted and rifled into the Buffalo net.
The Sabres penalty kill had been perfect in previous four games, leading it to be both a surprise and disappointment that it yielded the opposition’s only two goals on the night. Unlike their opponents, Buffalo’s power play never lift itself off its feet even with three opportunities. The Sabres are now 0-27 with the man advantage thus far in this regular season.
Buffalo will have a day’s rest before their West coast journey continues on Saturday night with a visit to the San Jose Sharks inside the Sharktank. Unlike the first two contests in California, that game will start at 4:00 EST on Saturday afternoon. The game will be broadcast on MSG.