It continues to get worse for the Buffalo Sabres. Every game seems to result in a bigger, or new, problem.
The Sabres’ offense was unable to get on the scoreboard Tuesday night. Only two goals were scored and that’s all Toronto would need to defeat Buffalo.
Jonas Gustavsson earned the shutout in a 2-0 win at the Air Canada Centre Tuesday night in Toronto. It was just the second time this season a team has held Buffalo scoreless. The first was in a 3-0 loss in Tampa Bay on October 22nd.
Gustavsson knocked away all 32 shots he faced. At the other end, Ryan Miller stopped 26 of 28 in the loss.
The Sabres failed to draw a penalty in this game, leaving them with no power play opportunities on the night.
The Maple Leafs rank last in the league in penalty killing. The fact that the Sabres couldn’t even draw a penalty certainly hurt their chances in this one.
It was the first time the Sabres failed to earn a power play since January 9th, 2009 in a game against the Rangers.
The Sabres now have 11 goals in the past seven games and have one more home game (against Toronto) before embarking on a seven game road trip.
If the injury list weren’t long enough, Thomas Vanek left the game and did not return after being checked into the boards by Dion Phaneuf.
The two goals in this game were both scored in the first period. Nikolai Kulemin got the Maple Leafs on the board with a powerplay goal 8:22 into the first.
Mikhail Grabovski beat Miller late in the opening period, giving Toronto a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission.
The Sabres have now scored less than three goals in eight consecutive losses.
The Sabres next game will be against these same Maple Leafs on Friday at the First Niagara Center. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.