At media interviews held yesterday in Buffalo, head coach Lindy Ruff said he was going to shake up this team a bit: changing defensive pairings, swapping players on the top three lines, as well as giving a fourth line more playing time to play more physical against the Boston Bruins. "Last game Milan Lucic outhit our entire team," muttered Ruff.
A change was in order, according to the coach, as well as their pitiful record over the last 10 games.
The only problem with this well thought-out plan was the fact that I am sure Lindy Ruff never dreamed his team would actually play worse and give up seven goals in the process.
Buffalo came out on fire tonight, lighting the lamp four times alone in the first period. Boston was having no shortage of goal scoring themselves as they were able to net three goals in the first. Both teams had very quality scoring chances and capitalized on their opportunities.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Neither goalie was particularly sharp in the first period, but things would settle down...or so it seemed. Boston came out for the second period on a mission and scored four more goals over the last two periods, winning this game going away 7-4.
Buffalo again was outworked and outskated by Boston, who played a much more smart, relaxed style of play to control the game from the second period on. Quality teams like Boston seem to really have a handle on a game and never let it get too out of hand.
For a team that is top five in the NHL in goals against, one would think three quick goals by the Sabres would rattle the Bruins, but that was just not the case tonight.
The Sabres could not keep themselves out of the penalty box either, taking nine penalties and allowing two of Boston's second period goals on the penalty kill. The mix of lack of skating, poor defense, poor goaltending, and reckless play by the Sabres has them shaking their heads while hoping they do not fall past Ottawa and Toronto for last place in their division.
The Sabres will host Philadelphia Friday at HSBC Arena and try to salvage what once was thought to be a promising month for the team.
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