Sabres Rally Not Enough in St. Louis

Buffalo came back from a 3-0 deficit, but gave up quick goals & lost.

Score: Sabres 4, Blues 6

Shots: BUF 46 | STL 20

St. Louis Blues Goals: Brandon Saad (4), Brayden Schenn (7,8), Jake Neighbours (8,9), Kevin Hayes (5)
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Rasmus Dahlin (5), Zach Benson (2), Peyton Krebs (1), JJ Peterka (10)

Minus 1: Down Early

The Sabres simply didn’t come ready to play on Thursday night. Going down 1-0 just over a minute in is bad enough. Going down by a pair just a few minutes later, and by a three-goal deficit just past the midway point of the first period, is inexcusable. Buffalo’s defense looked like it couldn’t stop a beach ball. While the Sabres were able to rally back and eventually tie the game, the point stands that putting yourself in that position – down 3-0 with plenty of game left – is not the way to go.

Plus 1: An Attempt Was Made

As bad as it is that the Sabres went down 3-0 early, the comeback was impressive. Rasmus Dahlin’s opening goal broke the game open a bit. Zach Benson scored his second NHL goal – of course, not nearly as impressive as his first, but still a nice effort. Just a few minutes later, Peyton Krebs finally got on the board for the first time this season, a very needed goal for him. You could tell by his reaction after scoring just how much he’s been waiting for that one.

Minus 2: It All Fell Apart

As good as things were going for a bit there, the Sabres dropped the ball – for the second time. Buffalo should’ve been riding the high of tying the game, but just a few minutes after Krebs’ tying goal, they gave up two instead. Kevin Hayes and Brayden Schenn scored just 24 seconds apart, and all of a sudden, the game was out of the Sabres’ grasp yet again. Defensive miscues, players left to their own devices, and that was that. Each team would add a goal in the third period, but it didn’t matter much for the bottom line.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like more than doubly outshooting your opponent… and still losing. Jordan Binnington made 42 saves, and the Sabres’ offense was definitely there, but the defense didn’t come to play and it made the difference in the end. Buffalo is back in action on Saturday in Raleigh before hosting the Predators on Sunday.

Sabres best players last night were the tallest (Greenway) and shortest (Benson).

All the players in between need to step up their game.

Greenway and Benson are the only 2 Sabres who consistently get to the front of the net.

Skinner buzzes around the sides of the net

We get many players going to the bumper spot but since no one in front of the net, defense collapses on bumper dude who rarely gets off a shot.

There is a part of me that understands the youth of this team and it’s immaturity but there still needs to be consequences for bad play. Doesn’t have to be yelling or demeaning but something. And maybe there is that we are just not exposed to at this time.

I agree with some of the others here that Ky is building a great culture of players wanting to be here but need some grizzled experienced vets to shake up this young team and keep them focused.

The game last night was winnable if we played with a more simple approach. We did not and the opportunity for two points on the road was lost. Too many times we have uncomplicated plays in front of us and yet we go behind the back, in and out of our skates, sauce passes when they’re not necessary, etc…..

The game is fun when you can pull that stuff off but…. how fun is it to sit in the locker room after getting no points when you have 42 shots on goal and should have won the game? Probably not so much ! Coach DG probably spewed a few expletives last night postgame and he should have ! Too many times last night all we had to do was go off the glass & clear the d-zone. Instead, we tried to play cute and pass through opponents legs / sticks and we paid for it. If we were playing a drinking game last night and I had to do a shot every time the Sabres turned it over, I would have been inebriated !! Granted, I like to sip a little whiskey here and there but I can’t drink like that boys !!

As demonstrated by the effort against the Rangers and in long stretches last night, we are capable of elite play in the offensive zone and on the rush. Our problem currently is and always will be our D-zone. Part of that I mentioned above in that we are tempted too often to make difficult plays when easy ones are there.

A larger part of it in my opinion is systematic. We blow the zone with our forwards way too early at times and leave our defensemen to fend for themselves. I’m sure the coaching staff has calculated the risk there and considered it when teaching this system but we don’t have grizzled veterans on the backend saving our bacon every night. We’re basically rolling kids out there every shift (except for EJ.. sorry dude !) and the results each night are left to chance.

I’m not sure if there is a middle ground in Coach DG’s system but I really hope they find it. When they’re on they are a very good team ! We’ll get even better when Thompson and Quinn are back in the lineup ! The boys are hanging around the playoff picture but need to string a few wins together before Christmas and create some separation in the standings.

I can’t think of a better place to start a streak than in Carolina