Crunching Numbers: Lack of Execution Costs Sabres in Loss to Panthers

The Sabres were riding high coming into this game with good wins against the Calgary Flames and the Philadelphia Flyers. They were knocked off their high horse by a team they probably should have beat. This is the kind of thing we have seen from this team time and time again.

I tried really hard to find one positive the Sabres could take from this game and I couldn't do it. Some players were worse than others but ultimately this was a team loss. A few players were singled out during the game but ultimatley they just need to forget and move on. Unfortunately we have a day between games and that gives us time to pick apart the losing effort.

I say losing effort but I'm not questioning the effort. It would be more accurate to talk about the lack of execution. The Sabres had there chances and they couldn't execute. They missed open nets, they hit goal posts and they just plain missed the net.

Clarke MacArthur was one player that Lindy Ruff singled out as not having a good game. He was parked on the bench for long stretches and played some on the fourth line as well. He eventually scored a power play goal in the third period and was put back on a line with Roy and Pominville in the closing minutes. He played just over 12 minutes in the game because Lindy Ruff thought he was ineffective.

A couple of players that stood out to me were Henrik Tallinder and Andrej Sekera. They seemed hesitant with the puck and Tallinder was out of position a couple of times, one of which led to a Panthers goal. It will be interesting to see how Lindy Ruff reacts to the poor play because he has Toni Lydman healthy and ready to get back in the lineup.

Corsi Numbers after the jump and then we move on to Boston Bruins on Friday.