The Buffalo Sabres ended the first period tonight with a lead for the first time all season, but for Sabres fans, the end of the game was predictable enough.
The game was close for the first 30 minutes, but eventually the Flyers found both the back of the Sabres net and their fifth gear, and turned the game in their favor. Buffalo was never able to turn it back, and it resulted in a lopsided 4-1 loss.
Matt Read was the hero for the Flyers, potting the team’s first two goals within 100 seconds of each other in the second period. That jump start set the Flyer ablaze, and the Sabres simply couldn’t keep up. With the loss, the Sabres remain in last place in both the Eastern Conference and the NHL.
Special Teams Bonanza
The amount of penalties in this game was slightly absurd, as the Sabres went 1-5 on the power play, and Philly went 1-7. Despite having seven chances with the man advantage, and two 5-on-3 chances, the Flyers managed to score only once, which counts as a win for Buffalo.
Miller strong, but not strong enough
Ryan Miller’s stats look pretty good after this game, with a .933 save percentage, but that doesn’t exactly describe how he kept the Sabres in this one for the better part of 30 minutes as he shut out the buzzing Flyers for the first half of the game. However, once the floodgates opened, not even Miller could keep things under control.
Three Questions
1. New guys. Adam and McNabb. How they gonna do?
2. Will the Sabres regret scratching three of their top young players tonight in Pysyk, Flynn, and Tropp?
Well, after being outshot only 10-12 in the first period, the Sabres were outshot 34-20 over the course of the next two periods. Once Philly gained the lead, they never relented, and there was nary the Sabres could do to turn the tide back in their favor. So yes, they could have used their best possession players tonight.
3. Will any dumb Ray Emery-related stuff happen tonight?
Nope.
Three Stars
1. Matt Read – two goals on two shots
2. Steve Downie – two assists, four shots, but also three hits
3. Sean Couturier – two assists and five shots
Comment of the Game
“Two best looks afforded to the Sabres come to #32”
NEVER WANT TO HEAR THIS AGAIN.
– AcesNines
I don’t think you’ll have to worry too much about that,
Highlights
Courtesy of Sabres.com