BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — For the fifth consecutive game, the Buffalo Sabres came up short, this time falling to the Dallas Stars 2-0. Roope Hintz scored both Stars goals while Ben Bishop was perfect between the pipes, stopping all 35 Sabres shots. With the loss, the Sabres are now 30-30-9.
5 Observations from Tuesday's loss:
Life Without Jack
One thing is for certain -- the Sabres need their captain. With Jack Eichel serving the first game of his two-game suspension, the Sabres offense was nonexistent. If nothing else Tuesday was a cruel reminder as to how many problems the Sabres must address in the offseason. Eichel provides whatever line he's on an immediate scoring threat. After that, there are three other lines that have a long way to go.
#Sabres haven’t scored a goal in their last two games. But at least they were in the games.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) March 13, 2019
What's cooler than being cool?
Ice cold!
To those of you who understand the reference, I appreciate you.
Since the Blackhawks game last Thursday the Sabres have scored a whopping zero goals in their last six periods of hockey. Against Colorado, the Sabres failed to generate any pressure and it showed on the scoreboard. Against the Stars, the Sabres made some strides but they weren't significant enough to find the back of the net. Dallas goaltender Ben Bishop deserves tons of credit, he now has three consecutive shutouts for the Stars and hasn't allowed a goal in the last 204 minutes he's played.
Season debut
In his first game with the Sabres this season former first-round pick Alex Nylander was fine. The 21-year-old winger did some good things and had a few chances. However, he still doesn't play with a ton of speed and got out muscled by the Stars too many times. There is no denying the AHL and NHL games are a lot different so it's not fair to rush to judgment on Nylander after just one game in Buffalo this season. Assuming they don't make another call-up from Rochester, chances are Nylander will be in the lineup again on Thursday.
No puck luck
Jeff Skinner generated the Sabres two best chances of the evening but couldn't light the lamp, hitting the post twice. Skinner, who leads the Sabres with 36 goals, has had his fair share chances but just can't snap his slump. After an incredible start to the season, the winger hasn't scored in the Sabres last 12 games.
Another Injury?
Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian didn't step onto the ice in the third period. At this point, it's unclear what kept Bogosian off the ice in the final frame but another injury on the blue line make things on the blue line even more complicated. With Jake McCabe likely done for the season, the Sabres will likely have to turn to Casey Nelson if Bogosian is sidelined for an extended period of time.
