The Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils, once again, traded goals back-and-forth at KeyBank Center for the second straight afternoon. However, it was the Devils that got things started just 20 seconds into the game, and they continued to answer each time the Sabres responded.
In the end, New Jersey got the final advantage on the Sabres, earning a 5-3 win on Sunday to snap Buffalo's five-game point streak.
Let's take a look at three observations from Sunday's game:
1.) Sabres allowed Devils to control the pace of the game
It was important for Buffalo to get off to a good start after taking Saturday's game to a shootout. Right away, they weren't able to do that.
The Devils found themselves ahead just 20 seconds into Sunday afternoon's contest with a goal from Devils forward Michael McLeod.
It didn't get any better when the Devils scored with just 17 seconds to go in the first period to take a two-goal lead, but the Sabres were able to answer back with two quick goals from Curtis Lazar and Rasmus Dahlin late in the second.
However, the Sabres, once again, allowed the Devils to get a goal as time was expiring in the period from Devils forward Miles Wood, allowing the Devils to carry another lead into the third.
Again, the Sabres answered the Devils with a power play goal from Rasmus Ristolainen (more on him in a minute), but they couldn't hold a tie for long, as McLeod scored his second of the game with 9:20 to go in the third period.
From that point on, Buffalo could not answer.
Not only were the Devils able to control the pace of play, Natural Stat Trick gives the Devils a 22-11 advantage in high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5.
2.) Ristolainen finding success in new power play role in front of the net
Ristolainen has enjoyed a great start to his 2020-21 season, and he may have had his best performance on Sunday afternoon against the Devils.
With Sam Reinhart out of the lineup, Ristolainen has taken position in front of the net, blocking the opposing goaltender's vision, so he can't see shots come from the point. Ristolainen's positioning allowed Victor Olofsson to score a goal Saturday afternoon, and his positioning on Sunday made it possible for Buffalo to contribute twice on the man advantage.
Ristolainen completely screened Devils goalie Eric Comrie on a goal from Rasmus Dahlin on the power play to tie the game at 2-2 in the second period. Then in the third, Ristolainen was able to get his stick on a rebound in front of the net to tie the game at 3-3.
It will be interesting to see where Ristolainen lines up on the power play when Reinhart makes his return to the lineup.
Ristolainen also had an assist on Buffalo's first goal, with his point shot getting tipped by Curtis Lazar in front of the net to move the Sabres within a goal at 2-1 in the second period.
3.) Sabres need better from goalie Carter Hutton
Four starts, 11 goals-against, and a .895 save percentage.
That's how Sabres goaltender Carter Hutton has started the 2020-21 season in Buffalo. While he had a couple of good starts against the Philadelphia Flyers, Hutton has let in a number of goals, where you are left wanting a save from your goaltender.
Against the Devils, Hutton allowed two late goals he certainly would like back from Andreas Johnsson and Miles Wood, respectively.
Prior to Hutton's start on Sunday, Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark had made five-straight starts. Hutton's last start came 12 days ago against the Flyers in a game where he got knocked out of the contest after a collision with defenseman Ivan Provorov in the second period.
It seems the Sabres understand that in order to make any type of run, they will have to hope Ullmark can make a run, while using Hutton sparingly throughout the short season.
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The Sabres will get a day off from game action on Monday before kicking off a four-game road trip to Long Island against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
We'll have the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with Schopp and the Bulldog starting at 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, with opening faceoff scheduled for 6 p.m. EST. With the game being televised on NBCSN, the only place to hear Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray on the call is on the Radio Home of the Buffalo Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
