Chicago, Ill. (WGR) - The Blackhawks defeated the Sabres on Thursday, 3-2, but the game-winning overtime goal came because of a pick that allowed Chicago forward Ryan Donato to get to the front of the net with no coverage and beat Buffalo goalie Alex Lyon, who was screened.
As Donato was coming through the right circle, trying to cut to the slot, Sabres defenseman Owen Power was in perfect position to defend the play. Blackhawks forward Anton Frondell stepped up and stuck his hip out to knock Power off his skates, which allowed Donato to be wide-open to score.
It was blatant interference, but it's typical of the officiating in this garage league.
The officials also missed another obvious interference earlier in the overtime when Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar picked Sabres forward Peyton Krebs as he was chasing defenseman Alex Vlasic with the puck.
Lyon wouldn't comment on the play after the loss, other than to tell fans to watch the replay for themselves.
As for head coach Lindy Ruff, he was incensed after the game.
“It’s a penalty in any league. That’s a call you’ve gotta get. A call that has to be made," said Ruff of the overtime winner. "The guy turns, sticks his ass out and dumps our guy. Make the call.
“Basic interference. Call’s right there, right in front of them.”
Power also wasn't happy that he was taken out of the play by interreference, giving him no chance to defend the play.
"Obviously I think that probably should be a penalty, or, at least, take both of us," said Power after the game. "I understand if he calls that, it's a big swing. But also not calling it is a huge swing as well. So what are you going to do? I thought it was a penalty, but I can't do anything about it.
"[The referees] got to know that call decides the game."
Let's also not lose sight of that fact that Josh Norris had possession for Buffalo deep in the offensive zone, but wound up losing the puck.
It was a horrible missed call that handed Chicago the game, but let's be serious: The fact that the Sabres let this game get to overtime is a huge issue.
For the second-straight time, Buffalo wasn't able to protect a one-goal lead going into the third period. For most of this season, the Sabres have been very poor at defending, and it's costing them hockey games.
With that in mind, Ruff decided to defend at all costs on Thursday and, for the most part, they did a good job of it. The problem was they got very little offense at Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight because of it.
Chicago tied the game at 2-2 at the 8:22 mark of the third period when Nazar tipped in a shot from the point from defenseman Sam Rinzel. Buffalo had pretty much spent the whole period, to that point, in their own end and had just one shot.
They perked up after that, but still couldn't beat Knight and, once again, passed up many good opportunities for goals by deferring to others who were not really open. Zach Benson and Krebs both spent all game trying to force plays to Tage Thompson, and both passed up good scoring chances to try to get something to the covered forward.
This isn't just this game, though. It's a nightly occurrence, and it's something Ruff and the coaching staff has had no success in changing.
Even though Buffalo defended well, it was shocking that the two that are supposed to be Buffalo's best defensive pair - Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson - allowed Blackhawks forward Andrew Mangiapane to get behind him with 1:38 left in regulation, forcing Dahlin to take a hooking penalty.
The Sabres did do a terrific job of killing it off, but things like this are happening too much to these two.
I felt the Sabres were not even close to being as good of a team starting this season as they were when the season ended in May, and after 19 games, Buffalo is proving that to be true.
The Sabres had to chase the last game between these two in Buffalo, and needed third-period goals from Dahlin and Jiri Kulich to squeeze out a 4-3. They shouldn't have this much trouble trying to beat a team that has a points percentage of .289.
Buffalo should be embarrassed with those two games.
Thursday was Lyon's first game of the season and he played very well, stopping 22-of-25 shots faced. He also made big saves in key times, especially on that final penalty kill.
After the Sabres had maybe the three-worst power plays I had ever seen out of them in their loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, they've now scored goals in two-straight games with the extra man.
The Sabres have also gotten points in eight-straight on the road, going 4-0-4, after losing the season opener in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. The problem is they've left points on the ice way too many times this season, and as a result, they have slid back by quite a bit in the Atlantic Division.
Buffalo is 20th overall in the NHL with a .526 points percentage. In the division, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are tied for first at .737, while the Boston Bruins have a .711 points percentage. In the Eastern Conference, the Sabres are 11th.
The final Wild Card spot is occupied by the Florida Panthers with a .600 points percentage.
Ruff knows what has to start happening here.
"We've got to start winning games, for sure. Getting the point is OK, but we've got to start winning games," he said.
That's going to be difficult when your captain, who is supposed to be your superstar player, isn't even your best defenseman on a nightly basis.
Buffalo's next game is Saturday when they head to Dallas to face the Stars, who have a points percentage of .611.
