Buffalo Sabres Game Reviews December 9,2023: Back-breaking loss to the Canadiens

 

              We really needed to win this game because the Canadiens are ahead of us in the standings. We are 4 points back of a playoff spot, but now we have to jump 5 teams to get there which was the problem last year. The power play is useless this year. We haven't won back-to-back games since October 29 and November 1. 

                   Positives

                   We scored 2 goals in the 3rd Period  

                   We've been a good 3rd period team all year. We scored 2 goals in the 3rd period and dominated play. We outshot the Canadiens 18-12 in the 3rd period and had plenty of good looks to take a 3-2 lead. Cayden Primeau played above his head tonight in this game and stop our grade A scoring chances. 

                  Team fought back after a 2-0 deficit 

                  We didn't give up after falling behind 2-0 like we had in the last week. We came back and continue to play. This team has not be competitive when falling behind 2-0 for most of this year. Glad to see this team not give up and get at least a point tonight which is encouraging. Devon Levi saved us in this game and made it possible for us to comeback and even get a point in this game. 

                   Negatives  

                  The Power Play is useless 

 

                  The Power Play went 0 for 6 tonight which made the difference in this game. We are 25th in the NHL on the Power Play after we were in the Top 10 in the Power Play last year. We need to get the power play going if we are going to get on a win streak this year. I wish this team would just shoot the puck instead of just passing it all the time on the Power Play. You don't need the perfect play to score a Power Play goal. I'm beginning to think this team doesn't practice the Power Play.

                  Perspective 

                 The team is starting to play better as they defeated the Bruins on Thursday Night and got a point against the Canadiens tonight. This loss hurts because we could had at least tie the Canadiens tonight, but instead they are 2 points ahead of us. We are only 4 points back of a playoff spot right now, but now we have to pass 5 teams. The Power Play needs to be better if we are going to go on a run this year. We were in the Top 10 in the Power Play last year and this year we are 25th in the NHL.