Score: Sabres 3 | Oilers 8
Shots: BUF 29 | EDM 39
Buffalo Sabres Goals | JJ Peterka (22), Victor Olofsson (7), JJ Peterka (23)
Plus 1: Getting Off To A Hot Start
The Sabres have not been know to start games very well this season. Often, within minutes, they are already chasing the game, having to find ways to get themselves back in it. This leaves many questions unanswered about the coach staff’s ability to prepare the players and speaks to the overall youth of the group. As this core matures, the expectation is that they will find ways to get themselves, and hopefully, the final few games of the season begin to show this.
The Sabres scored two early, showing signs that they would be pushing the pace against the Oilers all game. Obviously, the end result was not that scenario, but there was certainly some excitement toward the rapid start. According to Michael Hauff of Sports Faceoff Network’s research on 1st period goals, the Sabres rank 27th (6th worst) in the NHL. Unsurprisingly, the teams below them are all outside a playoff spot, confirming the correlation that starting off a game poorly results in the loss of many of those games.
Minus 1: Collapse in the 3rd Period
The third period could not have gone much worse for the young Sabres roster. When a team allows 5 goals in any game, that usually results in a loss. When a team allows 5 goals in a single period, that’s a recipe for a blowout. It was quite interesting to watch the change from the 2nd to the 3rd period. Even more so, it was interesting to watch the energy change from goal-against to goal-against in the third period. Looking at the chance of the Sabres winning the game from moneypuck.com, they had a roughly 46% chance of winning that game after the second period. From then on, they had absolutely no chance of recovering.
The Sabres are tied for the 5th worst goal differential in the NHL with a -12 (50 goals for and 62 goals against) via the Toronto Star. All in all, these numbers, combined with the disastrous 1st periods all season long, have led to where the Sabres are sitting in the standings.
Minus 2: Missed Opportunity.
The Sabres had a chance to make the Eastern playoff race interesting. Out of nowhere it had begun opening up, with room for team that had been ruled out since January to creep back in. Ultimately this opportunity was missed and in all likelihood, the Sabres are going to out of the playoff picture once again. Unfortunately, the make-up of this roster continues to disappoint when they are put to the test.
Furthermore, this kind of collapse is an indicator of something larger. It sends a signal to the rest of the league, management and the fans that the locker room is waiving the white flag of defeat. This type of behaviour is not conducive to the type of culture that the Sabres should be aspiring toward. The Sabres’ management decided to put faith in last year’s roster and bet on them to continue developing in the direction of success. Whether that decision was fully justified or not can be reflected on throughout the spring months as they watch from the outside looking in. However, if this core wants to prove that last season was not a complete fluke, finishing the season out with pride is essential.