Score: Devils 3 | Sabres 2

Shots: NJD 27 | BUF 35

Sabres Goals: Tobias Rieder, (5) Jeff Skinner (2)

Devils Goals: Yegor Sharangovich, (6) Sami Vatanen, (1) Miles Wood (9).

1 | Friendly Fire

Early into the first period Taylor Hall was struck in the face by a slapshot from the blueline. Hall was unable to get out of the way as he was falling forward, being pushed from behind. It didn’t look optimistic for Hall as he glided off holding his bloodied mouth. He missed the remainder of the first period but returned for a Sabres power play in the second and finished out the game.

Brutal season in Buffalo. Taylor Hall now takes a slapshot to the face pic.twitter.com/LGW2T95oYq

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) March 16, 2021

2 | Skinner scores!

Jeff Skinner scored his second goal of the year at 7:10 in the second period. Skinner now has 2 goals and 1 assist in 25 games. His last goal was on March 7 against the Islanders. The $9 million per year is clearly paying off for his overwhelming 3 points. Skinner is now tied in points with Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry who has three assists. On a positive note, Skinner made a nice move to beat Mackenzie Blackwood, going forehand- backhand- top-shelf.

That’s @JeffSkinner with a beauuuuuuty backhand. pic.twitter.com/58PXy91n2i

— NHL (@NHL) March 17, 2021

3 | Make it 12

The Sabres lost 3-2 after giving away a 2-1 lead. Tonight’s game marks 12 straight losses for the Sabres and a win doesn’t seem to be in the near future. Buffalo’s goals were scored by Tobias Rieder, (5) and Jeff Skinner (2) while New Jersey’s goals came from Yegor Sharangovich, (6) Sami Vatanen, (1), and Miles Wood (9). Let’s hope it doesn’t come to it, but the NHL losing streak record is 18 games, set by the 2003-2004 Pittsburgh Penguins. The next game is March 18, 7:00 pm as the Boston Bruins come to Buffalo.