(WGR 550) – The inconsistency of the Buffalo Sabres continues, as they lost to the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, 5-2.
Buffalo did put 32 shots on Robin Lehner, including 17 in the second period, but don’t let that fool you. Sloppy, loose play helped the Golden Knights dominate throughout the night.
Before I get into it, there was an early moment where the Golden Knights honored three players coming back to Vegas for the first time. Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs and Cody Eakin got a video that seemed to really touch Tuch.
Tuch scored in Tuesday's game, while it was a really tough night for Krebs and Eakin. Still, Eakin was appreciative of the gesture.
“It was really nice and pretty special," Eakin said after the loss.
“That tribute was really nice," Tuch said following Tuesday's game. "It was tough, but I was very fortunate. It meant a lot, and I’m sure my dad and girlfriend enjoyed that. So did I, and so did the guys. Vegas gave me a lot, and I can just add that on the list.”
This game went south just 33 seconds into it. Buffalo allowed a 3-on-2 with Reilly Smith getting an easy layup goal.
Vegas left the period up 2-0 when Dylan Cozens gave a puck away in the middle of the ice to Brett Howden. The official scorer in Vegas must have thought since they were injured for much of the year, Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty needed free assists they didn’t earn.
You could tell Tuch was frustrated by the hole the team had dug for itself, and he took a slashing penalty with five seconds left in the first. They really, really needed a penalty kill to start the second and didn’t get it. Trying to come back against that team down 3-0 is close to impossible.
Right after the power play goal, Cozens was able to get in alone, but was hooked by Brayden McNabb. It absolutely should’ve been called a penalty shot, as Cozens' chance for a good scoring chance was taken away.
The next two goals by Vegas were just plays that will keep head coach Don Granato up at night.
Buffalo was on a power play when Tage Thompson slipped, giving Howden and Keegan Kolesar a 2-on-0. They messed up that chance, but Howden was allowed to go into the corner while Rasmus Dahlin was slow to get to him. He got the puck around the wall to Kolesar, who was allowed to walk out in front while Krebs stood in front and watched him.
It’s bad enough there was a 2-on-0, but Dahlin and Krebs were way too soft on the play. The shorthanded goal was Vegas’ league-leading seventh of the season.
The fifth goal was the Sabres having all five of their guys out of position, allowing Mark Stone to be all by himself in front of the net.
Right before John Hayden tipped in his first goal with the Sabres, Tuch led a 3-on-0 in on Lehner, but was stopped.
Tuch also had a great chance in the first period when Thompson set him up for a wide-open layup. However, as Tuch went to shoot, his stick exploded into little pieces.
After two decent games against the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanhe, the Sabres went right back into some bad habits in this one.
They now are off until Feb. 10 when the Columbus Blue Jackets come to town for a makeup game.
