Sabres Struggles Continue In Loss To Stars

The Buffalo Sabres are in danger of digging themselves into a hole that they will not be able to climb out of. The defending Atlantic Division Champions have now lost four consecutive games, gaining just one overtime point in the last week.

The lone bright spot has been the return of goaltender Alex Lyon from injury for his first two appearances of the season. The veteran netminder has provided the Sabres with excellent play, but without adequate goal support, the losses continue.

Saturday’s 2-0 shutout loss at Dallas marked the second time goaltender Jake Oettinger and the Stars have blanked the Sabres this season.

“I think the first couple of games back, honestly, I’m just still trying to figure things out, “ Lyon said regarding the club’s inability to score despite his excellent play. “I’m able to separate it. That’s my job is to be mentally strong and have the ability to separate those two things. I know everybody wants to score. It’s extremely frustrating for them, but the only thing I can do is try to uplift and stay strong”.

On far too many nights this season, the Sabres forward group has failed to deliver scoring at critical moments when games are on the line.

Through twenty games, only Tage Thompson (12) and Jack Quinn (9) are providing consistent goal scoring.

While the return of Lyon has brought stability to the crease, a goaltender can only do so much when the skaters are not finding the back of the net.

It’s difficult,” said Lyon. “I mean, you can’t bullshit the position we’re in, to be honest with you. It kind of feels like we’re on a precipice a little bit. Every team goes through these times throughout the course of the season, and good teams, mentally strong teams, find their way through it, these really tough times.”

It is becoming increasingly evident with each passing game that the solution to move the team forward resides outside of the organization.

Despite the scoring drought the team finds itself in, in terms of the standings, a wild card berth remains in striking distance.

The time for a move to add scoring and a veteran presence to the locker room is now.