For the third straight night, the Buffalo Sabres came up one goal short. On Monday the Sabres fell to the Nashville Predators 2-1, dropping their third straight game. Sam Reinhart scored the Sabres lone goal, as Buffalo slips to 17-8-3 on the season with the loss.
5 Observations from Monday's loss:
10 steps forward, three steps back
The last thing the Sabres wanted to do was follow up a 10-game win streak with a three-game skid. Matchups against Tampa Bay and Nashville certainly aren't easy. But in all three games, the Sabres left a lot to be desired. With Toronto on the docket Tuesday, Buffalo needs a great game or the losing-streak will become four games.
Pitiful Power Play
#Sabres power play pic.twitter.com/yc3At8DdRb
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 4, 2018
For weeks it has seemed like the Sabres power play has regressed quite a bit. Their struggles were on display against the Predators, failing to convert on any of their fourth chances with the power play.
Not only did the Sabres not score with the man-advantage. They failed to generate any solid chances and couldn't maintain continuous possession. Against a team like Nashville, the power play can be the ultimate equalizer. That wasn't the case on Monday.
Not enough shots
One of the biggest differences during the Sabres current losing streak has been their lack of shot attempts. In their last three games, the Sabres have been out-shot in every period except the final frame against the Predators. That needs to change. While the shot disparity wasn't as significant on Monday as it was in Florida against the Lightning and the Panthers, it was certainly noticeable which team was controlling play for most of the night.
Swedish Defensemen
Everyone knows about Rasmus Dahlin. But in Lawrence Pilut’s first two games he’s been very impressive. At both ends of the ice, Pilut has made his presence felt. Whether the 22-year-old defender was jumping into the rush or batting a puck out of the air to break up a 2-on-1, Pilut has been solid. Regardless of what happens with Jake McCabe and Marco Scandella, I’d like to see Pilut stick in the lineup at least until he regresses. If, of course, that happens.
Pilut can stay #Sabres
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) December 4, 2018
No late push
Despite trailing after 40 minutes, the Sabres never appeared to be a serious threat to tie things up in the final frame until the final minutes. Unlike the team that managed to win 10 straight games, the Sabres spent most of the third period [first 15 minutes] chasing the Predators at their own end of the ice.With the clock winding down the Sabres managed to generate a few solid scoring chances but it was too little, too late.
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