(WGR 550) – For the last 10 games, the Buffalo Sabres put together a good streak to try to make the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. Despite going 7-2-1, Buffalo got eliminated on Tuesday night in New Jersey against the Devils.
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Buffalo gave the Devils all it had, firing 38 shots at Vitek Vanecek. However, the former Washington Capitals goaltender made quite a few great saves, and kept the Sabres from staying alive.
Trailing 2-0 in the second period, it looked like JJ Peterka had cut the deficit in half, but he was offside and his goal was overturned.
Just a few minutes later, Casey Mittelstadt made an outstanding no-look backhand pass to a wide-open Jeff Skinner. Had Peterka’s goal counted, the Sabres would’ve tied the score at 2-2.
Right after Skinner’s goal, Tage Thompson made some great moves to get in prime scoring position, but Vanecek stopped him twice.
Things weren’t looking good in the third period, but at 13:15, Alex Tuch never stopped working and found defenseman Mattias Samuelsson to make the score 4-2.
Buffalo got a power pay later in the third, and Skinner came from behind the net for a wraparound attempt. The puck would’ve gone in had Devils defenseman Ryan Graves not wedged his stick right at the post to keep the puck from crossing the line.
Devon Levi was also good in this game, robbing some of the Devils with great saves. However, four pucks did elude him and find the back of the net.
The other two goals for New Jerset came with Levi pulled, as the Sabres tried to somehow get even.
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The Devils are the third-best team in the NHL for a reason, and showed why on Tuesday. New Jersey still has something to play for, as they trail the first place Carolina Hurricanes by one point in their division.
Both teams now have one more game to play.
Chasing the playoff race was a bonus for this team. They were looking for development of young players and growth, but those young players took a playoff race to April 11.
For the last decade, any thoughts of the playoffs were over by early January.
The young players playing meaningful games right up until Game 80 of the season was significant for their growth. It also gave general manager Kevyn Adams a better idea of what players he wants to move forward with, and what players need to go.
Buffalo has their goaltender in Levi. He had the No. 1 job before this season was even over, so we don’t need to wonder if he’ll start in Rochester next season. It’s pretty obvious he will start next year as the Sabres' goalie.
Decisions will now need to be made this offseason, because nothing short of the playoffs will be acceptable next year. The plan needs to move forward.
The talk about good young players is over. Many are here, and Matt Savoie and Jiri Kulich are on the way. The goalie is also here.
Starting next week, the time is now!
