Just think, if the Sabres had made the rumored trade of Chris Stewart for Ryan Spooner they may have won this one game.
Spooner scored the only goal in the shootout, as Chad Johnson wasn’t able to keep a blank slate. However, it’s definitely unfair to put this loss on Johnson, even if the tying Brad Marchand goal was one he had a shot at. He made some incredible saves down the stretch, keeping the Sabres in the game.
Brian Gionta and Evander Kane weren’t able to beat Tuukka Rask, putting the game on Ryan O’Reilly’s stick. He skated all the way to Rochester, eliminating any chance at a decent angle. Boston ended the Sabres .
I’m not one of the people who hates the shootout, but it is a tough way to lose.
The Sabres weren’t able to score at least three goals for a fourth game in a row, but did get out to a 2-0 lead early. Evander Kane opened up the scoring with his 12th of the year. He had a chance to score on a 2-on-1 with Gionta, but only a few seconds later took a pass from the Sabres’ captain and deked his way close to the net. Sam Reinhart doubled the score with another one of his trademark deflections off a Mark Pysyk shot.
Spooner started off his good night a minute later, scoring off a rebound.
The Sabres struggles in the third period continued, as Marchand scored off a very nice move. He found a bit of space between Johnson and the bar.
Let’s hope the Sabres took notes, because these two teams will play again in two days at the TD Garden.