Score: Flyers 5 | Sabres 4 (SO)
Shots: PHI 33 | BUF 20
Sabres Goals: Sam Reinhart (10, 11), Riley Sheahan (3), Brandon Montour (1)
Flyers Goals: James van Riemsdyk (11), Kevin Hayes (9), Claude Giroux (4), Shayne Gostisbehere (4)
Observation 1 | Will They Ever Win Again?
Buffalo got closer to a win than they have in a long time but at the end of the day, a loss is a loss.
The Sabres are 1-7-2 in their last ten games and there appears to be no end in sight, especially with Jack Eichel now on the shelf.
Buffalo’s season is on the rocks, with them currently being 14 points out of a playoff spot.
Observation 2 | Playing The Hits
Another Buffalo Sabres game that took place which featured Ralph Krueger refusing to break up one of the worst statistical lines in the entire National Hockey League.
Following the game, the analytics provided another insight into how terrible this line continues to be.
The Rieder-Eakin-Okposo line was on the ice for 3 shot attempts for and 18 shot attempts against tonight
— Sabremetrix 📊 (@Sabremetrix) March 10, 2021
This line most certainly should have been launched into oblivion but the coaching staff continues to see some sort of value of rolling this exact line out night after night.
Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap and appreciate the ineptitude.
Observation 3 | Simply Sam
With Jack Eichel out of the lineup, someone else would need to attempt to provide the offensive fire power.
Thankfully for the Sabres, Sam Reinhart continued his strong season with a two-goal evening.
Reinhart’s 10th and 11th goals of the season extend his team lead.
If the Sabres want to have some sort of a chance with Eichel out, they will need to continue to rely on Reinhart.