Kraken Sink Sabres as the Season Swirls Away
Score: Buffalo Sabres 4 | Seattle Kraken 6
Shots: BUF 29 | SEA 34
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Quinn (9th) Zucker (16th) Thompson (20th) Tuch (15th)
Seattle Kraken Goals: Hayden (1st) Stephenson (8th) Beniers (10th) Oleksiak (4th) Larsson (3rd) McCann (14th)
Why Can’t They Beat This Average Team?
Coming into today’s game, the Sabres have been sporting an embarrassing record against Seattle. Since their first meeting in November of 2021, the Kraken have dominated the series. Buffalo’s record was 1-6-0 so far head to head, including a 6-2 loss just nine days ago. A game they led 2-0 before collapsing for six straight goals against. These have not been close losses either. Seattle has scorched Buffalo so far, outscoring them 34-20 in seven games. Do the math, the Kraken are averaging nearly 5 goals a game against the Sabres. So what to expect of the Blue and Gold in this one?
Minus 1: Deep Blue C
Buffalo gets an average grade for their first period play. They showed some hustle and out shot the Kraken 12-10 and had a handful of good chances. They also got on the board first as Jack Quinn’s shot from the point was deflected in off a Seattle player. It was Quinn’s 9th of the season. Owen Power and Peyton Krebs picked up the assists on the play. For the rest of the period though, Buffalo’s porous defense was on display. The Kraken scored the next two goals, winning battles along the boards and finding soft spots in the Sabres defense. Too many times this season have we seen the bad guys get free for open shots. Buffalo is just not strong enough in front of their own net, physically or covering their man. This goes for the forwards too. Devon Levi, just brought up from Rochester, didn’t help things much either, giving up big rebounds several times.
Minus 2: Deep Blue D
Each team got two goals on the board in the 2nd period but it was Seattle who carried most of the play. After the Kraken went up 3-1 on the power play, things were looking pretty bleak. But Buffalo battled back with a man advantage goal of their own. Jason Zucker tipped a Rasmus Dahlin blast into the net to cut the lead to one. Later Tage Thompson took a pass at the blue line, made a nice move and walked in, taking a wrister that beat Seattle’s goaltender Joey Daccord. Suddenly the game was tied and things are looking up, right? Hell no. You know the drill. Less than a minute later, the Kraken cashed in again. Crisp passing, strong play along the boards and a wide open man allowed Seattle to score. It was a challenging save to make for Levi but cujo suda said it best in the comments:
“im not paying much attention but levi looks tiny and out of his league”
Unfortunately, this was true for much of the game. As well as he has played with the Amerks, it has not translated well to the big club this season. He really does look small in the net sometimes. Even if he works his way to being a full time NHLer, his average size for a modern day goalie will always hinder him.
Once again, Buffalo has a knack for giving up costly goals soon after scoring for themselves. No matter the game situation. Down a goal, tied or with the lead. They fail to buckle down in their own zone and continue on with the offense. This goes for the backchecking forwards, the shaky defense and the goalies sometimes giving up a softie.
Minus 3: Deep Blue Failure
On cue, the Sabres saved their feigning interest for winning this game until the last frame. Down a goal entering the period and down 2 after ten minutes, Buffalo managed just 7 shots. Not until the net was empty did Alex Tuch score his 15th of the season. They pulled Levi again but this time the harpoon through the heart connected. Empty net goal, 6-4 final.
The season long frustration and 14 years now of no playoffs is boiling over for the fans. Oh, it’s not officially 14 years yet but reality says otherwise. On top of that mess, throw in the inability to beat a Joe Shmoe expansion team like Seattle. A completely ordinary club that in general loses about half their games. Not to us though, to us they are GODS OF THE SEA.
Final Thoughts:
Buffalo now falls to 1-7 all time against Seattle. They have been outscored 40 to 24 in those 8 games. The 6 goals today have the Kraken averaging a clean 5 goals a game against the Sabres.
Owen Power collected a point for the second consecutive game after his long drought without. Peyton Krebs had 2 assists and Tage Thompson recorded his 20th goal of the season. He also had an assist. Jason Zucker finished with 2 points as well.
In goal, Levi certainly did not have a strong game but neither did Buffalo’s team defense. Sometimes one fails, sometimes both fail at once. Most of the time it is one big failure.