BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Sabres have wrapped up the month of October with a 3-2 shootout loss to the Arizona Coyotes, falling to 9-2-2 on the season.
Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner each scored in regulation while Carter Hutton made 43 saves.
The Sabres are back in action on Friday when they hit the road to take on the Washington Capitals.
Outstanding October
9-2-2. I don't know about you, but I'd call that an "Outstanding October". The Sabres have grabbed 20 of a possible 26 points to start the season which is one of the franchise's highest point totals in the opening month of a season. Can things take a turn? Absolutely... I mean we all remember what happened after last season's "Notable November" that included a ten-game win streak. But let's keep this positive. For now, fans should savor this start and look back on October as a really good month for Sabres hockey.
Curse of the two-goal lead
The Sabres started off hot, leading 2-0 in the first period thanks to goals from Eichel and Skinner. Some fans would be happy with that lead but others not so much, because a two-goal lead in hockey can be one of the most dangerous. We've seen the Sabres fall victim to it a few times this season and tonight was no different. Both goals seemed extremely unlucky. The first found its way in through the littlest of holes alongside the post, while the second seemed to bounce up in the air and into the net off the lower back of Hutton.
"Go Eichel, it's your birthday"
What were you doing on your 23rd birthday? Sabres captain Jack Eichel was scoring his 7th goal of the 2019-2020 season. Eichel took a total of three seconds on the team's first power play of the game to give them the early 1-0 lead in the first period. The goal moved him into a tie for the NHL lead with nine power-play points this season (four goals and five assists).
It's your birthday, you can score if you want to! 🎵#Sabres50 | @JackEichel15 pic.twitter.com/XPtVt3RyY0
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 28, 2019
All good things must come to an end
For the first time this season, the Sabres suffered a loss at home. Entering tonight's game, they had a chance to tie a franchise record set back in 1975 for most consecutive wins at home to start a season. We knew the Sabres would eventually lose a game at home but the bright side, to start things off 5-0-1 at KeyBank Center, isn't too shabby.
