The Buffalo Sabres’ winless streak stretched to eight games Wednesday night at KeyBank Center as a valiant third-period push fell short in a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers. Despite flashes of dominance and contributions from key players like Owen Power and Tage Thompson, the Sabres once again struggled to capitalize on opportunities, extending their recent skid to 0-5-3.
Early Setbacks and Lineup Decisions
The night began with an early power play for Buffalo, but the Sabres failed to register a shot during the man advantage. From there, the Rangers seized control. Mika Zibanejad opened the scoring just eight seconds into a power play midway through the first period, capitalizing on a turnover from Power. The young defenseman was promptly benched for the remainder of the opening frame—a decision head coach Lindy Ruff likely made to send a message.
Power returned to the ice to start the second period, but other lineup adjustments raised eyebrows. JJ Peterka, typically a reliable contributor, saw limited action. After logging a single 1:11 shift in the second period, Peterka spent much of the night watching from the bench. He returned briefly to join the second power-play unit in the third period but saw only one additional shift. Ruff’s decision to limit Peterka’s ice time highlighted the coaching staff’s dissatisfaction as the Sabres searched for answers.
Luukkonen Stands Tall as Sabres Struggle to Score
Buffalo’s goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, delivered a strong performance to keep his team within striking distance. His sprawling glove save on Chris Kreider in the second period was among the game’s highlights, and he turned away 25 of the Rangers’ 27 shots on goal. However, defensive miscues and a lack of offensive execution left Luukkonen with little margin for error.
The Sabres came closest to scoring late in the second when Alex Tuch missed on a breakaway, and Connor Clifton’s aggressive push resulted in a shot that hit the left post. Offensive chances were there, but as has been the case throughout this winless stretch, Buffalo couldn’t finish.
Third-Period Push Shows Potential
The Sabres came alive in the third period, outshooting the Rangers 6-2 through the first seven minutes and controlling play in the offensive zone. Clifton nearly scored short-handed, ringing another shot off the post, while rookie Zach Benson became a noticeable presence. His relentless forechecking and ability to agitate the Rangers were key to Buffalo’s improved energy.
Reilly Smith extended New York’s lead to 2-0 midway through the period after a fortuitous bounce off the end boards found its way into the net off Power’s skate. Yet, the Sabres didn’t fold. Power redeemed himself with a laser from the right circle at 15:09, cutting the deficit to one. It was his fourth goal of the season, extending his point streak to three games.
With less than a minute to play, Ruff pulled Luukkonen for an extra attacker. The gamble allowed Adam Fox to score an empty-netter, seemingly sealing the game, but Tage Thompson responded just seconds later with his team-leading 16th goal. The late flurry gave the Sabres hope but not enough time to complete the comeback.
Questions Loom for Key Players
Beyond the loss, the night raised questions about the roles of Power and Peterka. Power’s initial benching and Peterka’s lack of ice time suggest that Ruff is still searching for a winning formula. Additionally, the absence of captain Rasmus Dahlin, out for a fourth straight game with back spasms, remains a significant obstacle.
The Sabres must also address their inability to convert on special teams. Buffalo failed to score on their two power-play opportunities and couldn’t take advantage of multiple scoring chances.
Bright Spots Amid Adversity
Despite the defeat, there were reasons for optimism. Thompson’s scoring touch remains sharp, and Benson’s gritty play continues to impress. Luukkonen’s steady performance gives the Sabres a chance to win every night, and Power’s bounce-back after a tough start speaks to his resilience.
Watch: Condensed Game Highlights – Sabres vs. Rangers
Next Up
The Sabres (11-14-4) hit the road this weekend for a challenging back-to-back against the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. With their playoff hopes in jeopardy, every game becomes a must-win. Puck drop against the Capitals is set for 7 p.m. Saturday.
Buffalo has shown glimpses of what they’re capable of, but consistency and execution will be the keys to ending their skid. Follow Sabres Insight for all your postgame coverage and analysis.