Sans Dahlin, Sabres fall apart against Flyers.
Score: Buffalo Sabres 4 | Philadelphia Flyers 7
Shots: BUF 21 |PHI 32
Buffalo Sabres Goals: Jack Quinn (12, 13), JJ Peterka (23), Alex Tuch (29)
Philadelphia Flyers: Matvei Michkov (23, 24), Jakob Pelletier (5), Noah Cates (15), Owen Tippett (20), Tyson Foerster (18), Ryan Poehling (9)
Minus 1: Slow Start
The Flyers came out, well, flying in Saturday’s matinee. Quickly, the Sabres found themselves down 1-0, then 2-0, with the goals coming less than 30 seconds apart. In addition, the Sabres were doubly outshot in the first period by a 12-6 margin, and those woes continued throughout the game.
The Sabres only registered 13 shots on goal through the opening 40 minutes, and 21 total for the game. The Flyers, meanwhile, registered 12 shots in the first and third periods, and had a total of 32 shots.
Minus 2: Goaltending
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen got arguably a much-needed start on Saturday, but it didn’t go particularly well. The Sabres have been understandably riding the hot hand of James Reimer, but you’ve got to give Luukkonen a chance, too. Saturday was definitely a rough game for him and the team as a whole. Giving up seven goals is never a good thing, much less when it’s on just 32 shots faced.
Plus 1: Young Guns
If there’s one thing to like about Saturday’s effort, and the team’s efforts overall as of late, it’s the work of some of the young players. Jack Quinn has been on a heater lately and had two goals, including a power-play tally, and an assist. JJ Peterka scored his 23rd goal and added an assist. Ryan McLeod had three assists.
Quinn is on a three-game point streak, with five points (3-2) in that stretch. Peterka has points in five of his last six games, with four goals and two assists since March 20. McLeod has eight points in his last four games and 15 points in his last 12 games.
Final Thoughts
I’ll sum this game up in one word: disappointing.
The Sabres are back at it on Sunday against the Capitals, and are expected to be without Rasmus Dahlin for a second-straight game as he battles an illness.