Final: 5-4 (PHI)
The Sabres dropped their 8th straight game on Tuesday night as they were defeated by the Flyers in a shootout.
Buffalo’s overall record fell to 6-14-4, good for last in the NHL.
After being shutout in the last three meetings with the Flyers (3-0 each game), it’s actually rather easy to find some positives from this one. Big picture though, nitpicking a few nice plays from a single game isn’t any more of a reason to be inspired moving forward. Our expectations should be higher than a few young players showing flashes and first line players actually putting the puck in the net.
Ralph Krueger echoed this sentiment after the game, “There’s no real point to speak about the good things that happened that got us there because we didn’t close the deal. There were some bright lights in the game that we need to take with us.”
Hall, “I mean, let’s be serious, we’re a lot of points out of the playoffs, we should just be playing loose and just going playing free.”
Reinhart on 🔥
One of the lone bright spots this season has been Sam Reinhart and next level goal-scoring ability he seems to have unlocked. Reinhart added another two goals last night, bringing his season total to 11 goals in 22 games.
Reinhart, who’s career high in goals is 25, is on pace for what equates to a 41 goal campaign in a typical 82-game season.
He and Taylor Hall have begun to build some chemistry, a fun sight to see when things are clicking.
“I’ve been playing with Reino for a few weeks now,” Hall said, “you see how smart of a player he is. I think him and I are starting to [build some chemistry] — he’s knowing where to stay in the offensive zone and where I can find him a little bit. Cozy’s [Dylan Cozens] so fast and has a long reach that creates a lot of turnovers.”
Cozens a natural fit at center
With Eichel out, Dylan Cozens stepped in and centered the Sabres’ top line with Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel.
Cozens has been developed incrementally, starting at wing and earning more minutes each game, but we may have got a glimpse at his future position on Tuesday.
The natural center was strong in transition and didn’t have any lapses where he was caught out of position.
Sam Reinhart, a former center himself, scored two goals alongside the rookie.
After the game, Reinhart said he’s been impressed with how Cozens has fit in, “Great, the way he’s been able to come in here and really be juggled all over the lineup. I think he looked like an absolute fit there [at center]. I really liked his game tonight, like most nights.”
Jacob Bryson
Jacob Bryson has made waves since being recalled and last night’s game was another display of what the Sabres have in their young defenseman. While his defensive game rounds into shape, Bryson has added a refreshing offensive spark from the back-end.
His hands and feet work lightning quick in unison which allows him to manipulate forecheckers and consistently break the puck out. His willingness to jump in the play has created more offense while he maintains the awareness of when to get back on defense.
While you wonder how they didn’t get an opportunity sooner, between Bryson and Borgen, the Sabres have uncovered a couple of gems on defense moving forward.
Eichel injury
Ralph Krueger said that the Sabres’ captain will be out a “minimum of a week.” following the loss on Tuesday.
Looking forward: The Sabres host the Penguins on Thursday in their first matchup of the season.
