The Sabres failed to push their win-streak to four games Tuesday night, falling to the Ottawa Senators 7-4 on the road.
Hopes of pulling within just six points of a playoff spot, with a game in hand started off on the right foot as Buffalo earned a 2-0 lead in the 1st period.
Sabres defenseman Brandon Montour carried the offense from the blue-line, scoring the first two goals of the game for his fourth and fifth of the season.
It was the second multi-goal game of his career.
The lead didn't last long however. In the span of less than four minutes, the Senators scored four unanswered goals to take a commanding 4-2 lead.
In the 2nd period, the Sabres would pullin within one twice. Forward Kyle Okposo scored his seventh goal of the season just 2:36 into the period but the Senators pushed the lead up to 5-3 five minutes later.
Buffalo would set themselves up to tie the game one more time as forward Victor Olofsson would get his 19th on the year making it 5-4, finishing a play created by Jack Eichel and Rasmus Ristolainen on the man advantage.
The 3rd period didn't create much offensive opportunity for the Sabres like it did for Ottawa. The Senators scored the lone two goals of the period to put the game on ice 7-4.
The Sabres are now off until Saturday when they stay on the road, heading to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins.
GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 2:14 - Brandon Montour (4) (Unassisted); 10:12 - Brandon Montour (5) (Rasmus Ristolainen, Victor Olofsson)OTT: 14:02 - Vladislav Namestnikov (13) SHG (Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Mike Reilly); 15:07 - Artem Anisimov (12) (Nick Paul, Scott Sabourin); 15:16 - Drake Batherson (3) (Colin White, Tyler Ennis); 17:31 - Artem Anisimov (13) PPG (Tyler Ennis, Mike Reilly)
Second Period:
BUF: 2:36 - Kyle Okposo (7) (Johan Larsson, Brandon Montour); 13:47 - Victor Olofsson (19) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Eichel)OTT: 9:00 - Jean-Gabriel Pageau (23) (Brady Tkachuk, Anthony Duclair)
Third Period:
BUF: NONEOTT: 12:53 - Jean-Gabriel Pageau (24) PPG (Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson); 19:14 - Anthony Duclair (22) EN-SHG (Jean-Gabriel Pageau)
Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 15:45 - Jeff Skinner (Slashing - 2 min.)OTT: 12:05 - Ron Hainsey (Hooking - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONEOTT: 12:54 - Team (Too many men on the ice - 2 min.); 16:05 - Mike Reilly (Hooking - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 12:21 - Jake McCabe (Hooking - 2 min.)OTT: 17:35 - Vladislav Namestnikov (Tripping - 2 min.)