In a game where Zach Bogosian returned to the lineup to put the defense at full strength for the first time all season, you wouldn’t know it. The Sabres couldn’t compete with the Penguins, and it was evident as soon as the puck dropped. The Sabres struggled to generate offense and they failed to beat goaltender Tristan Jarry as they fell by a 4-0 score to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night at the KeyBank Center. It was Jarry’s first shutout of his NHL career as he stopped all 34 shots he faced. The shutout moved Buffalo’s scoreless streak to 180 minutes and 51 seconds, setting a new franchise record. The team had never been shut out for three consecutive games. “It’s quite embarrassing….our coaching staff comes up with a game plan and I just don’t think we’re executing that plan.” – Phil Housley The last Sabres goal came from Kyle Okposo on Friday, November 24th against the Edmonton Oilers, an empty-netter in the 3rd period. Prior to that, it was Jack Eichel 43 seconds into that same period. “It’s embarrassing. From work to practice to work, it just doesn’t translate for some reason. It’s just a lack of execution.” – Okposo Pittsburgh quickly proved once again how dangerous of a team they are, scoring three times in the first period. Thomas Kuhnhackl, Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel all beat Robin Lehner in the opening 20 minutes to give the Penguins a commanding lead, and that was more than enough. Kuhnhackl opened the scoring after he was awarded a penalty shot just a few minutes into the first period. He skated in on Lehner and beat him high on the glove side for a 1-0 lead. Lehner as down as I’ve ever seen him. “I feel bad for the fans. I really do.” #Sabres — Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) December 2, 2017 It was the first time the Sabres gave up a goal via a penalty shot since November 11th, 2016, when Andy Greene scored for the New Jersey Devils. Patric Hornqvist added a goal late in the second period for good measure, but fans are getting fed up with this Buffalo team, but it is deserved. With a loss, Buffalo will be on pace for 50 points. The only season in their history in which they finished with fewer than 50 was 2012-13, when they had 48 points in 48 games (Lockout III). — Dave Davis (@DaveDavisHockey) December 2, 2017 The Sabres are right back at it on Saturday night when they take on the Penguins again at the PPG Paints Arena. That game will mark the first of a four-game road trip for Buffalo, on which they’ll head west to face the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks before taking on the St. Louis Blues.
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