The Buffalo Sabres were hoping to come out with some energy after a couple of questionable hits to their young players on Thursday night.
Saturday night at KeyBank Center, the Sabres didn't bring much more in terms of physicality to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Whether they increased it or not, the game of hockey is not measured by the amount of hits.
Ultimately, the Sabres needed goals, and they couldn't get any in a 3-0 loss.
Let's take a look at three observations from Saturday's game:
1.) Hutton strong in net as usual against Penguins
Our own Paul Hamilton remarked on Thursday night during the Paul William Beltz Postgame Show by asking the rationale of starting Sabres goaltender Jonas Johansson.
Goalie Carter Hutton has had a pretty good career, in terms of playing, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Coming into the game, he had played in eight games against Pittsburgh, posting a record of 5-1-0 with a save percentage of .940.
Hutton brought more of that luck to his game on Saturday, stopping 31 of the 32 shots he faced. The Sabres also did a pretty good job at 5-on-5 to limit the Penguins' high-danger chances. The Penguins had nine high-danger chances at 5-on-5 according to Natural Stat Trick.
2.) Power play shut out for the ninth-straight game
Ever since Sabres captain Jack Eichel picked up an injury against the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 23 that held him out of the next game, the Sabres' power play simply hasn't been the same.
The Sabres carried the No. 1 unit with the man advantage for a good portion of the season, but after Saturday night's game, Buffalo still finds themselves ranked fifth with a 27.1% conversion rate.
Buffalo was able to contribute at even strength on Thursday night, but they had no such luck on Saturday night. The Sabres were shut out all the way around.
3.) Down 1-0 in the third period, Sabres lacked desperation to tie the game
Six shots.
That's all the Sabres were able to muster in the third period. In all strengths, Buffalo attempted just 11 shots, and only six found Penguins netminder, Casey DeSmith.
In the last few “Three observations” articles I've written, I've frequently pointed out that Buffalo has lacked the desperation of a team that has absolutely nothing to lose, at this point, when it comes to playing the game.
With a one-goal deficit heading into the third, the Sabres did not look like a team fighting to tie the game. Natural Stat Trick tabs them with just two high-dangers chances in the third period. They never really threatened, including on a late power play chance after a slashing call for Penguins forward Anthony Angello on Rasmus Ristolainen.
There's no singular issue as to what this team needs to do to get back into the win column.
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The Sabres will get one more chance on their homestand to snag a point or two before they hit the road again. Buffalo will face the Washington Capitals back at KeyBank Center on Monday night.
We'll get things started at 6 p.m. ET, as Schopp and the Bulldog take you through the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show. Puck drop is slated for just after 7 p.m. ET on the radio flagship of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
Buffalo’s power play gets shut out for a ninth-straight game