5 Observations: Golden Knights top Sabres 4-1

A win against the Vegas Golden Knights was never in the cards for the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday falling 4-1 in the second game of their West Coach road trip. Vladimir Sobotka scored the Sabres lone goal in the final seconds to avoid getting shut out. 

5 Observations from Tuesday's loss: 

Putrid Power Play

Vegas gave the Sabres plenty of chances to try and claw back into Tuesday's game. But instead, the Sabres failed to convert on any of their six attempts with the man advantage. 

In the opening minutes of the second period things went from bad to worse, when the Sabres allowed a shorthanded goal after they failed to successfully enter the zone. Cody Eakin stormed down the ice on an odd-man rush and fired a perfect wrister past Hutton. For a team that doesn't score a lot of goals at even strength, they need more out of their power play. 

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

So what changes can the Sabres make to potentially help their lackluster power play? Personally, I think replacing Kyle Okposo with Casey Mittelstadt could prove to be beneficial. I'm a big fan of playmakers on the ice with the man advantage and Mittelstadt, even at just 19-years-old, is one of the Sabres most creative skaters. 

I'd also like to see Dahlin given a chance with the first unit. Whether that means moving Ristolainen to the second unit or using two defenders, I think Dahlin is too talented to not be on the ice. 

Not his best night

Speaking of Dahlin....

Wednesday wasn't Rasmus Dahlin's best game. In his first six games, Dahlin was one of the Sabres best defenders. But in Vegas, he struggled at both ends of the ice. That was most evident in Shea Theodore's first period "goal" where he danced around Dahlin. "Goal" is in quotes because the goal was disallowed because the play was offsides. But either way, Dahlin needs to either take the body or force Theodore out wide. 

Bogosian makes his return

One game is way too small of a sample size for a player returning to the lineup. In his first game this season, Bogosian did some good things and made some mistakes, which was to be expected. As the season moves along, Bogosian will be a very important piece for the blue and gold. Depth on the blue line has been an issue for the Sabres in the past and in the first two weeks of the season, the Sabres third pair has been inconsistent. Bogosian should help sure things up, at least a bit. 

Chasing 

Buffalo hasn't won a game this season when they've allowed their opponent to score first. On Wednesday they were chasing the Golden Knights from the minute the puck was dropped and could never catch up.
 

Have a news tip, question or comment?