The Sabres dropped yet another home game, this time to the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 4-1. The loss marks the team’s sixth in a row, bringing their home record to a dismal 1-4-2 this season. Once again the injury-plagued Sabres were significantly overmatched by a more physical, aggressive team. Young players like Evan Rodrigues continued to look like boys playing a man’s game, showing that more time in Rochester is necessary before returning to the big club.
With injuries to six NHL regulars, the Sabres were forced to rely on the services of players like Taylor Fedun and Justin Falk, who appeared out of place at the NHL level. A tempest of boos rained down on the Sabres at the conclusion of the game as the team failed to display any semblance of chemistry or cohesion. For the fourth time in the past five games, the Sabres registered just one goal scored. Tampa Bay on the other hand, clicked on all cylinders despite the absence of captain Steven Stamkos, and kept their lead-leading power play rolling, going two for three on the night.
While the Sabres came out of the gate hot, registering ten shots in the first seven minutes of the game, they failed yet again to put together a full 60 minute effort.
Nikita Nesterov got the scoring started early for the Lightning at 8:15 in the first period., giving his team a 1-0 lead heading into intermission. It was visible from that point on, the wind was effectively taken from the Sabres’ sails, as the team was out-shot 27-18 over the last 40 minutes of the contest.
Down 2-0 midway through the second period, the power play unit showed a small sign of life when Cody Franson buried his first goal of the season (and first by a Sabres defenseman). The goal gave the team an opportunity to turn the tide, however with 18 seconds left in the period, Tampa Bay regained their two goal lead courtesy of Nikita Kucherov. It was a deflating goal.
The third period was more of the same as the Sabres essentially mailed it in, continuing their uncoordinated play. Brayden Point notched an insurance goal with two minutes remaining.
The overarching theme in this contest, like so many others this season, was just a general lack of communication and finish. Passes continued to land in skates, rushes were easily thwarted, and the MASH unit defensive corps failed to clear pressure in their own end.
“We are really snakebitten right now, this is the definition of adversity for us right now.” – Cody Franson
The coaching staff needs to right the ship quickly, or the franchise could be looking at another lost season, especially without franchise player Jack Eichel, who will be sidelined for several more weeks. When healthy, this team (at least on paper) boasts top flight scoring talent. However, they are completely devoid of talent beyond the top-six. On the back end, Rasmus Ristolainen remains the lone defenseman who looks to be playing at an NHL level. Veterans Zach Bogosian and Dmitry Kulikov will be welcome additions to the struggling unit when they return from injury.
The Sabres will attempt to reverse their fortunes when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit KeyBank Center Saturday night.