Buffalo starts its home series with another defeat.
By Chris Ryndak / Sabres.com
Coming off three straight wins in Western Canada, the Sabres were hoping to extend that streak on home ice. However, they were unable to do so, losing to the New Jersey Devils 3-1 last night at KeyBank Center.
Here’s what you need to know.
About last night
From the Lexus Postgame Report…
Jake McCabe scored late to put them within earshot, but the Buffalo Sabres ultimately fell short of a comeback in a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils at KeyBank Center on Tuesday night. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Sabres, who had swept their road trip in Western Canada last week.
The Sabres had managed to hold all three of their opponents without an even-strength goal on that road trip, which they hoped would translate as they began a five-game homestand. But instead of being on their toes, Phil Housley said, they got caught on their heels too often against a Devils team fighting for their playoff lives.
“Our five-on-five game wasn’t where it needed to be,” Housley said. “We talked this morning about where they are as a desperate team. They just played with more urgency. I didn’t think we respected the position they were in. Coming off a road trip, you would’ve thought we would have gained confidence and been sharp.”
What seemed most disappointing for the Sabres was the fact that they squandered an opportunity to carry momentum onto their home ice. Nine of Buffalo’s 14 games in February will be played at KeyBank Center, a building where they’ve only managed six wins this season.
Why that is, they still have no answer. But McCabe said to expect an inspired performance when they return on Thursday.
“It’s tough,” he said. “We want to bring that hockey that we showed we can play out west to this arena and for our fans. You guys saw that we can play that way and we all see it too, so we need to play that way for our fans and for this city. Tonight’s unacceptable but we get another shot at it on Thursday.”
Shutout streak starts anew
New Jersey’s first goal brought Robin Lehner’s shutout streak to an end at a career-best 145:15. His previous best streak was 126:59 (Feb. 16 to 21, 2016).
The goal also stopped the team’s shutout streak at 199:19. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the streak was Buffalo’s longest since the team’s franchise-record streak of 226:24 set from Jan. 16 to 25, 2003.