Sabres: To Win Series, More Needed from Top Players

The script was flipped on Friday night in Buffalo. The Montreal Canadiens scored a decisive 5-1 victory to even their second round series with the Buffalo Sabres tied at one game each. For all the control the Sabres exhibited in their 4-2 series opening victory on Wednesday night, in game two, it was Montreal that was far and away the better team.

The Canadiens have now grabbed home ice advantage in the series heading back to Montreal for Games Three and Four.

Sabres top line held in check

The Sabres top line has yet to make an impact in the series. The combination of Tage Thompson, Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch have been held without a point through two games.

In Game One, the Sabres received goal support from forwards Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod and Jordan Greenway. In Game Two, the only Sabre to find the back of the net was winger Zach Benson.

As the series goes on the Sabres will need much better performances from their top players.

On the blueline team captain and Norris trophy finalist Rasmus Dahlin has taken penalties in each of the first two contests and was victimized on the second of two goals by Montreal’s Alex Newhook in game two.

Thompson is laboring

The biggest focus of attention on Friday night was Tage Thompson, who finished the night at a minus four and had an awful night capped by falling down and losing the puck leading to Alexandre Carrier’s early third period goal which sealed the victory for the Canadiens.

“Kind of the flip side of the first game,” said center Tage Thompson. “Fall behind two early. Try to chase the game. Try to force plays that aren’t there. Just wasn’t executing. I think everything I touched turned into disaster tonight. Tough one, gotta be better, it’s as simple as that. Just flush that one and move on.”

The question of a possible injury was asked of Thompson, but he declined to answer.

Clearly the centerman who tallied forty goals in the regular season has not been playing at the top of his game in the second round series.

The Sabres will need much improved play as a team to get back in the win column beginning with game three at the Bell Centre on Sunday night.

That improved play needs to begin with their best players.