Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – There really isn’t too much new to say from the Buffalo Sabres' 4-0 loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday night.
The Sabres did break a team record for the most shots on goal without scoring a goal, as Anthony Stolarz played the role of Dominik Hasek on this night with 45 saves.
Buffalo had 35 shots in the final 40 minutes of play, but still couldn't score any goals.
I did see compete in this game from the Sabres, so that wasn’t a problem. However, there was not enough net-front presence, not enough pucks and bodies to the net, and their best players are rarely their best players these days.
It’s no embarrassment to lose to the Panthers. They’re one of the best teams in the NHL, but if you give them a two-goal lead, you’re likely not going to win.
Thursday was Florida's 10th-straight win on the road.
In the first period, the Sabres thought there should’ve been a penalty on Aleksander Barkov, as he stole the puck from Ryan Johnson. There wasn’t a call made, and he set up a wide-open Carter Verhaeghe in front of the Buffalo net for a 1-0 lead.
Where I felt the Sabres could’ve changed the game was early before Florida had even scored.
Connor Clifton broke free in the slot, but was stopped by Stolarz. Then JJ Peterka set up Zach Benson alone in front. He made a move to his backhand, and all he had to do was lift it over Stolarz for the lead. However, the puck appeared to slide off his stick and the shot went wide.
Trailing 1-0 in the second period, Tage Thompson had a golden opportunity from the slot on a power play, which could’ve tied the game. However, Stolarz just barely got his glove on it.
Buffalo outshot Florida, 17-6, in the second period, but with a delayed penalty on the Sabres, Anton Lundell tipped in a Matthew Tkachuk shot that looked like goalie interference.
Once this Panthers team gets a two-goal lead on you, you’re likely done, especially if you’re the Sabres.
Related
Eric Comrie’s last NHL start was Dec. 5 in a loss to the Detroit Red Wings. I thought he was superb in another game to add to the long list of wasted goalie efforts.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was limping around the dressing room after Tuesday’s game, and he did take the morning skate on Thursday. However, the Sabres felt it would be better to give him a night off.
Sabres head coach Don Granato feels there’s a good chance Luukkonen will be back on Saturday in Minnesota against the Wild.
Tuesday's win over the Los Angeles Kings did nothing for the Sabres. They didn’t build on it, because they didn’t get enough bodies to the net with the pucks.
Nothing new here to see.
Buffalo just finished a stretch of 13 games with 10 of them at home. They went 2-1-0 on the road, but 4-6-0 at home. In five of those home games, the Sabres scored one goal or less.
It’s not even remotely acceptable.
