The Buffalo Sabres were shutout by the Dallas Stars and a red-hot Ben Bishop at KeyBank Center on Tuesday night, which also leaves them shutout in the season series. Roope Hintz had the only two goals of the night to seal the win.
Buffalo started the game behind on momentum, giving up early delay-of-game penalties and were unable to gain anything back on the powerplay chances they were given. Hintz beat Linus Ullmark twice in the second period, once in tight and then again on a powerplay from the point to lock up the win.
Buffalo dropped their fifth in a row and it is their second game in a row getting shut out. The Sabres are looking to find out what some of the younger talent has to offer moving forward as well as give a gut check to the remainder of the team. They showed some good hustle and shot volume, but did not find the back of the net which is disappointing, to say the least.
“We had some good looks, but they don’t give up much. When you get chances against a team like this you have to bear down…” – Jeff Skinner
Dallas finds themselves back in the win column, pulling within one game of the St. Louis Blues for the third spot in the Central division and pulling three points ahead of the Minnesota Wild with a game in hand.
Bishop posted his third shutout in four games to continue his strong play as of late and back up his NHL Star of the Week honors.
Buffalo continued the trend of setting their game pace early in the game, getting plenty of shots and checking aggressively. Unfortunately, they were not able to muster much on the powerplay and what they did have, Bishop had a good look at to make the save. Ullmark was able to stop 25 of 27 shots (.926 SV%) including a huge glove save early, but it was ultimately not enough when Bishop at the other end stopped 35 of 35.
LINUS. 🙅♂️ pic.twitter.com/rdDD1Nv5GJ
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 13, 2019
The theme was the same through the rest of the game, Buffalo had good shot volume and hitting well, but were unable to find rebounds and put it past the hot goaltender. The lack of ability to shift momentum in their favor lead to a goal on a lost coverage low in the zone and then again while killing off an interference penalty taken while trying to stop an odd-man rush.
We have to find a way to make it more difficult on other goaltenders. But, again, I can’t fault the way the guys worked hard.” – Phil Housley
Alexander Nylander made his season debut for Buffalo, registering one shot and 13:16 of ice time including 1:00 on the power play unit.
“I think I got more and more comfortable out there and I just need to keep going.” – Nylander
Zach Bogosian did not return to the ice in the third period, but Housley offered no additional update in the post-game interview.
The Sabres will stay home as they prepare to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night in the KeyBank Center at 7 p.m.