The Buffalo Sabres 4 game point streak came to an end as they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3. Inconsistent play has been a theme for Buffalo this year as well as poor special teams play. Cody Hodgson had 2 goals while goaltender Ryan Miller made 18 saves.
Many times this season, the Sabres have allowed a goal in the opening few minutes of a period. This theme continued as Jiri Tlusty beat Miller about 90 seconds in to make it 1-0. Erik Staal and Alexander Semin had assists on the goal. The assist was Staal’s 600th career NHL point.
The Hurricanes extended their lead to 2-0 on the power-play with a goal from Joe Corvo. Bobby Sanguinetti and Jussi Jokinen chipped in with assists.
It could have been 3-0 but Ryan Miller made a spectacular save. Staal and Semin had a 2-0 vs Miller, but Miller saved the Semin shot. Later in the period, Thomas Vanek looked like he would have an easy goal. However, goaltender Justin Peters made a great save on Vanek.
The Sabres finally had some life in the 3rd period. Hodgson scored the first of his 2 goals with Vanek and Jason Pominville getting assists. Several times this season, Buffalo has scored a goal and has killed momentum when allowing an opponent goal just minutes later. Jokinen scored 40 seconds later to make it 3-1. Staal and Semin had assists on the goal.
(Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
With Jamie McBain in the penalty box, the Sabres would get a power-play opportunity. T.J Brennan let one go from the point and beat Peters and it was now 3-2. This was Brennan’s first game in the line-up since Feb 21. Less than 2 minutes later, Semin scored to make it 4-2 with Staal and Tim Gleason earning assists.
Cody Hodgson would later score a short-handed goal with 35 seconds left but it was too little too late for the Blue and Gold.
Game Notes:
Vanek returned after missing the last 2 games with an upper-body injury.
Patrick Kaleta served the first game of his five-game suspension for his hit on Brad Richards.
The Sabres enter the half-way point of the season with a 9-13-2 (20 points) record.
The Sabres continue their road-trip as they play the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
Bob Duggan
Latest posts by Bob Duggan (see all)
- Buffalo Sabres Prospects Awful at 2014 Tournament - September 19, 2014
- 2014 Buffalo Sabres Season Predictions - August 31, 2014
- Dishonor for Connor Campaign - August 29, 2014
