The Buffalo Sabres are still without a win on home ice as they drop a 6-3 decision to the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. Both Emerson Etem and Corey Perry scored twice while Henrik Tallinder, Tyler Myers, and Cody Hodgson scored for the Sabres.
The Sabres actually did something they haven’t done all season against Anaheim, they didn’t get blown out of the building in the first period. While neither team scored, the shots on goal were tied at seven and the Sabres Corsi stood at a -2. Buffalo looked like the fresher team as well as the pace was strong but couldn’t actually capitalize on any scoring chances.
In the second period, the Sabres did something they’ve only done once before this season, score the first goal in a game. Cody Hodgson took advantage of the Ducks terrible power play and scored his fifth of the season. The lead didn’t last all that long though Ryan Getzlaf scored two and half minutes later. The Ducks would score twice in 34 seconds late in the second period and would never look back.
The final score of 6-3 gives the illusion that the game was never close at any point, but it truly was. The team seems to get defeated though when a goal is allowed and defenseman Henrik Tallinder alluded to that in the post game:
“This is a team game and you have to support each other. It’s a game of mistakes and everyone makes mistakes. When the mistakes are made, what are you going to do about it. You have to have teammates that support you and when mistakes are made, are the guys going to be there and support you. We’re not doing it consistently, for sixty minutes.”
Three Things We Were Wondering About Tonight
1.) How will Corey Tropp play in his debut?
Tropp was quiet in his debut as his line was on the ice for three of the six Anaheim goals. He finished the game with two shots on goal, a hit and a blocked shot in 13:39 of ice time.
2.) Can the Sabres take advantage of Anaheim’s poor special teams?
Actually, yes? One of the Sabres goals came on the power play and the Sabres were able to shut down a five on three opportunity the Ducks had late in the first period. None of that mattered though as Anaheim was able to destroy the Sabres when it came to even strength play.
3.) Can the Sabres build momentum before the head on the road?
Again, the Sabres leave the First Niagara Center without a win and a very downtrodden group heads on the road to face three tough Western Conference opponents. Not much can be built off of the 2013-14 season, let alone this game.