Final Score – 5-2 (NYI)
The Sabres dropped their sixth game in a row (0-5-1) and haven’t recorded 30 shots in a game for the fifth straight. Buffalo is now 0-5-0 against the Islanders on the season.
After Kevyn Adams said this season has been unacceptable, the team came out and delivered another uninspiring performance.
Goals
The lone positive for the Sabres, was rookie Jacob Bryson scoring his first career goal 33 seconds into the game. A very nice start for Bryson despite the team having a forgettable afternoon on the ice.
🚨 Jacob Bryson! First NHL goal!
— The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) March 6, 2021
1-0 Sabres just a minute in pic.twitter.com/gazyheUfAq
After the first period there was hope, the Sabres dominated high danger chances in the first period and looked like they were making the Islanders uncomfortable and go against their game script.
Once the 2nd period started the wheels fell off and it happened in spectacular fashion. The Sabres gave up four goals in the middle frame and looked like the same old team that we’ve seen since their season restarted.
Mat Barzal made this game memorable with a highlight reel goal, the only real highlight involving the Sabres today.
what did mat barzal just do to the sabres pic.twitter.com/vUjoNjD5Hl
— The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) March 6, 2021
Nelson, Mayfield and Clutterbuck added goals in the middle frame to bury the Sabres chances.
Buffalo responded in the final period when Reinhart tipped a Dahlin shot past Varlamov but the Isles ended any positive momentum the Sabres might have had with an Anders Lee goal to make the game 5-2.
The Jacob Bryson Game
Bryson was the lone bright spot for Buffalo, he’s a high-event player who brings some excitement to the Sabres blueline.
Not only did he net his first career goal, he played a season high 20:48 (including 19:34 at 5v5). Bryson was on the ice for 1.47 of the Sabres 2.42 expected goals, posting a 61.03 xGF%.
While he’ll be upset with the team performance hopefully he will be able to build off another impressive individual performance and continue to show that he’s deserving of a spot in the Sabres lineup.
If the seat was warm before today….
A day after not receiving a vote of confidence from his GM, Ralph Krueger and his team delivered the exact opposite of an inspired performance.
After today’s game Buffalo has 26 5v5 on goals (2nd last in the league), six wins (fewest in the league) and sits 2nd last in points %.
The GM said he’s evaluating everything but after today he might have to speed up that process and make a change because there’s no excuse to sit on your hands and do nothing when the team comes out flat every game.
Buffalo has become a joke in the league circles, and games like this one only add fuel to that fire. Nothing positive can be said right now about the team (on or off the ice).
Looking Ahead:
The Sabres and Isles are right back at it tomorrow afternoon. This marks the third straight game the Sabres and New York will play and if the past indicates anything Buffalo will be in tough.
New York is 5-0-0 against the Sabres and Buffalo has a total of five goals in the series, something drastic needs to change tomorrow for the team to end this losing streak.
