Streak ends with home loss to Devils

With the All-Star break in the past, the Sabres regrouped and took on the New Jersey Devils at KeyBank Center on Tuesday night, but fell by a 3-1 score.

Buffalo came into the game on a season-high three game winning streak, but Taylor Hall helped end that as he tallied the game-winning goal in the second period.

The Sabres got to within a goal late in the game with a power play goal from Jake McCabe. They would get another opportunity with the man advantage in the final minutes, but couldn’t beat goaltender Keith Kinkaid for a second time.

In fact, the Sabres have never been able to defeat Kinkaid. The Devils’ goaltender is 3-0 with a 1.00 goals against average vs. Buffalo.

Kyle Palmieri sealed the game with an empty-net goal with six seconds to go.

“I don’t think we played with the urgency we needed to. Give them credit, they’re a fast team, they cycle well.” – Phil Housley

After two straight shutouts, Robin Lehner saw his streak come to an end after 145 minutes, 15 seconds.

This was the start of a five-game homestand, but playing at KeyBank Center hasn’t helped this Buffalo team. The Sabres have just six wins on home ice, and it has not gone unnoticed in the locker room.

“We have a lot of home games coming up here, you want to put on a good show, it’s unfortunate, it’s something we need to get better at.” – Eichel

The loss denies the Sabres of a four-game winning streak, something they haven’t done since in more than four years. 

“Tonight’s unacceptable, but we get another shot at it on Thursday.” Jake McCabe

The Sabres will host the Florida Panthers on Thursday and the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. Both games have a scheduled puck drop of 7 p.m.