Buffalo’s fate is sealed as they will now officially miss another post-season
Score: Stars 3 | Sabres 2
Shots: DAL 25 | BUF 21
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Alex Tuch (21), Rasmus Dahlin (20)
Dallas Stars Goals: Jason Robertson (28), Wyatt Johnston (32), Joe Pavelski (27)
Plus 1: On the Board First
It has been a rare event these past few seasons, but the Sabres were able to capitalize on their offensive chances and grace the scoreboard with the first goal of the game. It was Bowen Byram who set up the play off the boards from the Sabres’ defensive zone. Then, after a turnover in the neutral zone by Dallas and some quick passes between JJ Peterka and Byram, Henri Jokiharju let it rip from the point, giving Alex Tuch the opportunity to redirect the puck into the net for an early 1-0 lead. In their previous 16 games, Buffalo scored first in only six of them, but in those games when they bury the puck first, they are 4-2-0.
Minus 1: Well, That Was Short-Lived
Mere minutes after the Sabres celebrated their first goal of the game, the home team answered by scoring not one, but two goals. Both goals followed some sloppy turnovers, but Buffalo was off the hook for the second one (for now) as it was ruled a high stick following a review by the NHL.
Spoiler alert: another goal would be overturned in the second period, but it would instead be the Sabres charged with the high stick.
Plus 2: Dahlin!
Rasmus Dahlin helped the Sabres earn their second lead of the game halfway through the opening period. He continues to trail only Phil Housley with the most goals by a Buffalo defenseman in a single season. Housley tallied 31 goals during the 1983-84 season; Dahlin currently has 20. The Swede now has more goals than most players on the team – with the exception of Tuch, Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, and JJ Peterka.
Minus 2: Second Period Slump
In the first half of the second period, the Sabres suffered two unanswered goals from Dallas and later the aforementioned goal challenge that ended in the home team’s favor. This would be the period to seal the fate of the game as the final scoreboard read 3-2 in favor of the Stars.
Final Thoughts
Buffalo’s man-advantage woes continue in an endless loop as they were unable to capitalize on any of their several power plays tonight – especially the final two in the third period. It could be argued that their failure to improve in this area all season long has contributed greatly to yet another missed post-season.
I am just going to leave this here…
Three Stars:
1. Joe Pavelski (1G, +2)
2. Thomas Harley (2A)
3. Rasmus Dahlin (1G)