Score: Buffalo Sabres 2 | Dallas Stars 4
Shots: BUF 23 | DAL 33
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Jason Zucker (11), Beck Malenstyn (4)
Dallas Stars Goals: Roope Hintz (16), Jason Robertson (9), Wyatt Johnston (9), Esa Lindell (3-EN)
Plus 1: Great Response
After Hintz opened the scoring at 9:49 of the second period, it took less than a minute for Buffalo to tie it. Jason Zucker scored his 11th of the season just 31 seconds later, with Tage Thompson & Bowen Byram notching the assists. It’s not ideal to go down 1-0, but you couldn’t ask for a better response.
Later in the game, just moments after the Stars had taken the 2-1 lead in the third period, Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin saved a goal. The puck was on the line, and Dahlin jumps in with his stick to fling it off the line and up over Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. This could’ve been a momentum-changing play for Dallas – as it would’ve given them a 3-1 lead – but instead, it was a much-needed reprieve for Buffalo.
Then, just a short time later, the Sabres tied the game on Malenstyn’s goal. Another great response for Buffalo to capitalize off that energy and turn the tides the other way.
Minus 1: Faceoffs
The Sabres really struggled in the faceoff circle on Tuesday night, winning just 13 of 47 draws – 28 percent.
Here’s how it breaks down by player:
- Jason Zucker: 1-8
- Peyton Krebs: 0-1
- Jiri Kulich: 4-13
- Dylan Cozens: 6-14
- Beck Malenstyn: 1-1
- Ryan McLeod; 1-8
- Alex Tuch: 0-4
And for Dallas (31/44):
- Oskar Bäck: 2-2
- Logan Stankoven: 2-4
- Jamie Benn: 1-1
- Colin Blackwell: 2-4
- Sam Steel: 1-2
- Jason Robertson: 1-1
- Mavrick Bourque: 3-5
- Roope Hintz: 9-13
- Justin Hryckowian: 1-1
- Wyatt Johnston: 6-6
- Matt Duchene: 8-10
Plus 2: Tage’s Strength
Heading into Tuesday night’s game, Tage Thompson had the hardest shot in the NHL this season at 104.69 mph. He beat that with a 106 mph rocket! Thompson is one of just five players in the league to record a 100+ mph shot this season, and one of two to have multiple.
(Islanders D Ryan Pulock, with three, is the other player to record multiple.)
Final Thoughts
The winning streak is over, but there’s still things to like from this game for the Sabres, and from their recent overall stretch. Ending the calendar year with a loss certainly leaves a sour note in Buffalo’s mouth, and there is certainly room for improvement, but this one doesn’t feel as bad as it could’ve.
Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen played well and made a number of key saves to keep the team in it, and he honestly deserved a win. The Sabres picked things up in the third period to try and stay in it. Malenstyn has two goals in his last four games. Thompson is on a four-game point streak. Zucker has five points in his last five games.
At the end of the night, the Sabres unfortunately failed to extend it to a four-game winning streak, which they have yet to accomplish this season despite multiple three-game streaks. Sigh. The last time this team won four (or more) consecutive games was back on January 19-26, 2023.
A couple things to keep an eye on, or be mindful of: Connor Clifton appeared injured for a moment early in the game. On a seemingly innocent play, Clifton seemed unable to skate, then dropped to his knee to relieve whatever he was feeling in his leg and slid over to the bench. He didn’t miss a shift, though, and had a solid game. In the third period, Thompson took a shot off the knee and was clearly in some discomfort, but kept playing. Again — it doesn’t mean either of these will be anything, but just something to keep in mind in case either or both are given a maintenance day in the time ahead.
The Sabres’ road trip continues on Thursday in Colorado and Saturday in Vegas, before the team comes home to host the Washington Capitals on January 6.