Sabres vs. Islanders Recap: Sabres One-Game Winning Streak Comes To An End

by Andy Boron on Jan 15, 2012 1:19 PM EST in Game Recaps

The Buffalo Sabres failed to win back-to-back games yet again (since November, people. November!) thus forcing bloggers and fans everywhere to start referring to winning a single game as a "streak", so as to avoid jumping off the Peace Bridge out of despair.

The 4-2 loss last night to the New York Islanders started with goalie Jhonas Enroth trying a new goaltending style - "The Sit-Down" - and ended with Thomas Vanek's potential game-tying penalty shot hitting the post. It was another winnable game for Buffalo, but with the loss the Sabres fall back to five points behind Washington for the eighth playoff seed. Oh, and Robyn Regehr suffered an upper body injury and will "miss a little bit of time."

You'll excuse me if I'm not really in the mood to write up a blow-by-blow recap of the game (which you can read here or here if you're interested), so instead let's take a look at some depressing numbers.

The Sabres have lost their last 8 games on the road, for the first time franchise history.
Their next 6 games are on the road.
Three of those games are against the three best home teams in the Western Conference.
And the crown jewel: the Sabres this season are 1-6-0 against the current 13th, 14th, and 15th place Eastern Conference teams. (Thanks to Mike Harrington for that gem)

Here's the highlights:

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We need a die by the blade meetup so we can buy Andy a drink after writing these kinds of posts…

Enjoys long walks on the beach, Molson Canadian, and making the playoffs.

by AcesNines on Jan 15, 2012 1:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Haha, I love the title.

But… this sucks.

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 15, 2012 2:46 PM EST reply actions

Nice little addition to Andys stats...

We’ve lost 8 straight away games… AND … Detroits won 14 straight at home.

Awesome.

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 15, 2012 3:02 PM EST reply actions

I picked an awesome time to go see my first live Sabres game in over 2 years (they didn’t come to Detroit last year and before that I lived in WNY and saw them frequently)… I think the statistical odds of the Sabres winning tomorrow must be something like 1 in 1000… But I will show up nonetheless, through blizzard and urban ruin, through depression and hopelessness, and I will sit there in blue-gold solitude (beside my sports-apathetic wife) while the sea of red around me heckles and celebrates, and I will drink cheap beer and likely slouch down into my seat. But if this team decides to show some life, I will be energized and motivated to stand and cheer. And if by some miraculous fortune we take a lead and win the game, I will cherish it forever, right up there with that 2007 Game 5 vs. Rangers win (my first NHL game attendance). I think this road trip needs to be the turning point, so I am going to bring my last shred of optimism for this season’s team, and hope that it somehow helps the team find a way. If they can win against the Red Wings while missing half their defensemen, I’m betting their confidence level might just skyrocket and propel them to new heights for a while. If not, then at least I’ve somewhat desensitized myself to watching this team lose over and over.

by lassathrax on Jan 15, 2012 3:43 PM EST reply actions

Good on ya'

" so I am going to bring my last shred of optimism"

And good for having some optimism still! I can’t believe I DVRd that game and stayed up late watching it last night!

by buffaloparks on Jan 15, 2012 3:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I mean, at least we aren’t getting blown out, right? We’ve been staying in the games most nights lately. At that point, winning or losing can come down to some bounces or officiating or a goalie standing on his head. Sure, I’m disappointed that they can’t seem to finish when it counts, but it’s not as if they need that much improvement to start getting a few wins. It is definitely possible. I am not expecting it, but as long as it is possible I can hold onto the optimism.

by lassathrax on Jan 15, 2012 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

I think we all want to hold on to optimism but with each game it just gets more and more frustrating. I know injuries are partially to blame but to not win 2 in a row in 2 months is unacceptable by any standard.

by ajred12 on Jan 15, 2012 5:53 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

A Turning Point, Yes...

But I think it could be the turn from a 500 season to a lottery pick type season.

Just so digusted with the lack of production, the stupid penalties, defensive zone giveaways, lack of physical toughness (not you, Kaleta, or you, Gerbe) mental toughness, or leadership.

I would like nothing more than for Miller to turn it around, start stealing games, and letting some of these guys get healthy so they can make another late season run. But how many years do they keep doing this until Pegula says, “Why can’t be play a whole season?”

I am pleased that my infant son’s only Sabres gear is a Gerbe onesie. Although I’ve put away my John Tucker jersey for the year.

by T McGee on Jan 16, 2012 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

Did Stafford get hit with a Pillow in the picture?

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Jan 15, 2012 6:21 PM EST reply actions