For the past month or so, we’ve seen the Sabres lose in a number of different ways, but the one consistent has always been that they haven’t had enough offensive pressure. They get outshot, outpossessed, and generally look like they have no chance in the second or third period.
But last night, the Sabres poured 21 shots on net in the second period alone en route to a season high 36 shots total…and it still wasn’t enough as the Sabres lost to the Ottawa Senators 2-1.
The game started slowly for Buffalo, as they were outshot 14-8 in the first and gave up a power play goal to Erik Karlsson, whose shot from the point bounced off the stick of Zemgus Girgensons and past Jhonas Enroth to open the scoring.
I don’t know what Ted Nolan told the team in the first intermission, but the Sabres came out blazing in the second period and outshot the Sens 21-4 in the period. Their 21 shots were the most the team has had in one period since March of 2011, according to team PR.
While the Sabres didn’t score on any of their 21 shots, the second period did not end without controversy, as Buffalo had a potential goal disallowed when Marcus Foligno was called for goalie interference. It was a weak call at best, as their was minimal contact between Foligno and Robin Lehner. That goal would have changed the fabric of the game, but instead the Sabres saw their dominant period come and go without tying the score.
Buffalo came back to earth in the third period, and the teams traded goals – Tyler Myers on the power play for Buffalo, Milan Michalek with the game winner for Ottawa – and the Sabres lost the game 2-1. Myers’ goal was his second in three games.
It was really nice to watch the Sabres dominate play, if only for one period. It’s proof that the Sabres can actually play quality hockey, just not very often. With the loss, the Sabres remain four points behind Edmonton, who also lost, and they will not play again until Sunday.
Two Questions
1. How many shots on goal will the Sabres get tonight?
A season high 36, which feels so nice to type for once.
2. Can Marcus Foligno look as good tonight as he did in Buffalo’s last game?
Foligno was a noticeable physical presence in his 15:27 of ice time, though he only ended up with one shot on goal, and of course was involved in the disallowed goal. Which should have counted.