Sabres continuing to search for consistency

The Buffalo Sabres have been anything but consistent this season, especially when it comes to wins and losses. 

It's an issue that players have openly talked about, but one that has lingered since the start of the regular season.

"I think we figured out our game and the way we need to play it and now we have to work on getting the result," Sabres forward Kyle Okposo said on Thursday. "That's a little bit of a tougher thing to do, but once you get it, you don't lose it." 

Fellow forward Jack Eichel agreed and said the Sabres need to have more of a killer instinct, especially when they have a team on the ropes like the Toronto Maple Leafs were on Tuesday night. No need to remind you -- but the Sabres squandered a two-goal lead in less than ten minutes.

"The inconsistency factor I feel like is just in the result," Okposo added. 

Kyle Okposo was asked if the #Sabres need to be more consistent. He said they do, but also said it's a process #TrustTheProcess @WKBW pic.twitter.com/HiueKvGnLl

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 19, 2017

Bove's take:

Time to start walking the walk. The Sabres have admitted that need to be more consistent but now they have to prove that they can be. At times, like against Dallas earlier in the week, the Sabres look like a very competitive hockey team. Then, they collapse during a ten-minute span it costs them an important game. 

It's not easy to play a complete, 60-minute hockey game, but if the Sabres don't start doing that soon then their playoff hopes will vanish sooner rather than later. 

Practice notes:

Tyler Ennis is back practicing like usual. Was a 'surprise' scratch on Tuesday night against the Leafs #Sabres @WKBW pic.twitter.com/rOUi7gviIq

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 19, 2017

Sabres forward Tyler Ennis returned to practice on Thursday and is expected to play against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Goaltender Anders Nilsson is sick -- his status for Friday's game is uncertain. Linus Ullmark practiced with the Sabres on Thursday to prepare if Nilsson can't play. 

Evander Kane is scoring at a pretty impressive rate. Remember when everyone thought he should be traded? That probably shouldn't happen.... pic.twitter.com/Rrugk8Q7Wr

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) January 19, 2017