The Buffalo Sabres seem to be following the adage of being close but not close enough. The Sabres were tied 2-2 midway through the third period with the Metro Division-leading Washington Capitals, but Dylan Strome scored the game-winner on a deflection with 8:55 remaining to give Buffalo their ninth straight loss.
Jason Zucker and Jiri Kulich scored for Buffalo, but the club managed only 21 shots on Capitals goalie Logan Thompson. Head coach Lindy Ruff indicated after the game that he was not pleased with the play of his special teams.
“The special teams were not good enough. That was probably the difference in the game.” Ruff said. “I just didn’t think (the power play) looked comfortable. It was a shot to try to give them an opportunity, but we put (Tage Thompson) in a different spot and it’s just something we’re gonna continue to work on.”
Washington went 2 for 3 on the power play. with Tom Wilson scoring in the first and second period, while Buffalo continued to struggle with the man advantage, going 0 for 2.
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The Sabres fall to 11-15-4 and remain one point out of last place in the Eastern Conference, and six points behind Ottawa for the final wildcard spot. Buffalo will travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Sunday in an unusual 5 pm start. The Leafs also lost 4-2 on Saturday, to the Detroit Red Wings with Joseph Woll in goal. It is expected that Dennis Hildeby (recalled on an emergency basis from the AHL Toronto Marlies will be in goal for the Leafs, while it is expected that James Reimer will start against his old team at Scotiabank Arena.
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