Sabres Endure First Three Game Losing Streak Of The Year

by Zachary Zielonka on Nov 21, 2009 10:32 PM EST

The Sabres struggle again with a 5-3 loss Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators. Patrick Lalime takes his second loss of the season in his second start of the season while the team comes back from a four goal deficit to bring the game within two goals. Lalime made 21 saves on 26 shots but again played behind a team that appeared listless for large stretches of the game. The Sabres ended up outshooting the Senators 41-26 and also outhit the Senators 29-24 but could not find the back of the net. Pascal Leclaire played well for the first two periods of the game before leaving the game during the second intermission. Brian Elliott filled in during the third period and ended up earning the win.

Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson scored two goals on the night while Milan Michalek, Filip Kuba, and Chris Kelly scored the other three goals. For the Sabres, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, and Patrick Kaleta all found the back of the net. The Sabres also had their fair share of missed opportunities in this game with 18 missed shots and 22 blocked shots.

The Sabres main problems have started to blossom in the past three games. The Sabres are missing a backup goaltender that instills confidence in the team. In my personal opinion, many of those goals Lalime really did not have a chance on, but the team does not play with the same intensity and with the same passion that they do when Ryan Miller is in net. If the Sabres are going to have a chance to make the playoffs, they need to find a goaltender that gives the team the confidence that they can win the game which Lalime nor Enroth do. Buffalo has a few days off until they play again on Wednesday night.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

" If the Sabres are going to have a chance to make the playoffs, they need to find a goaltender that gives the team the confidence that they can win the game which Lalime nor Enroth do."
Its a little knee jerk to say the Sabres won’t have a chance without a back-up goaltender, isn’t it? And I thought Lalime played pretty well as most of those he had no chance on. Its frustrating to see the Sabres fail to find the back of net with so many quality chances.

And Sens suck. That’s about all I can say right now.

by Jsz on Nov 22, 2009 10:00 AM EST reply actions

I agree that Lalime played pretty well. My problem is that the Sabres as a team play a completely different game when their backups are in net and don’t play with that same sort of intensity as they have when Miller is in net. Now whether that is component of playing on back to back nights or the lack of confidence that the backup inspires, I’m really not sure.

Die By The Blade - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by Zachary Zielonka on Nov 22, 2009 9:03 PM EST up reply actions

a positive spin

You could look at it and say the Sabres are playing .500 hockey over their last 3 games.
OK, I’ll shut up.

by destinsabresfan on Nov 22, 2009 12:55 PM EST reply actions

?????

No, we are .000

We lost all three, as the title of the article subtly suggests.

by propheadj on Nov 22, 2009 8:13 PM EST reply actions

oops, i meant 6 games

by destinsabresfan on Nov 23, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

Not Lalime, this time

In the case of this game, I disagree that the team played differently in front of Lalime. Obviously they played poorly in front of him, but I thought they played just as poorly in front of Miller the past few games. Lately the team has looked aimless and predictable. While our role players have been playing extremely well, most of our top guys are not doing so well. Blame the lack of line chemistry on Ruff’s constant changing if you’d like, but its hard to overlook the defensive struggles of late. Lately, I wouldn’t blame the team’s poor play on who is in goal. Hopefully the team can turn things back around. Maybe Grier and Stafford’s returns will bring some good fortune?

by lassathrax on Nov 22, 2009 11:11 PM EST reply actions