January 16, 2011

Sabres Lose to Islanders 5-3


On Saturday night, the Sabres pulled an epic stinker. Playing the 2nd worst team in the NHL, you'd figure that even a team like the Sabres should easily win the game. But that wasn't the case as the Sabres were dropped 5-3 as John Tavares went off for a hat trick for the Islanders.

The Sabres actually scored the first goal in the game......surprisingly. Thomas Vanek scored his 17th goal of the season and the Sabres went up 1-0 early in the 2nd period.

But then, the John Tavares show took place. Tavares scored three goals in a period of 6 minutes for the natural hat trick and put the Islanders up 3-1.

Matt Moulson assisted on all three of Tavares's goals.

Then, Blake Comeau scored with less than three minutes remaining in the 2nd period and the Islanders went up 4-1.

The game remained 4-1 until Tyler Ennis scored on a power play goal early in the 3rd period to cut the Islanders lead to 2 at 4-2.

With the Sabres down only 2 goals, they still had a shot to get back in the game. But it wasn't meant to be as Michael Grabner scored a shorthanded goal with a little over 3 minutes remaining to put the Islanders up 5-2.

Buffalo added one more goal before eventually falling 5-3.

These are the games Buffalo has to win. They have too much ground to make up to lose to bottom feeders.

This loss was disappointing and really hurts them. Buffalo doesn't have many games where they're "expected" to win. Saturday night was one of those games, and they blew it.

If the Sabres don't go on a streak soon, there season may be over before the playoff push even starts.


Attendance: 12,223
Buffalo's Record: 19-20-5 (43 points) 11th in the Eastern Conference
Points Back Of Playoffs: 8 points behind Atlanta for 8th place
Last 10: 5-4-1
Interesting Note: John Tavares is related to Buffalo Bandits star John Tavares
Key Stat: John Tavares recorded his 2nd career hat tricks
Three Stars:
1st- John Tavares (New York Islanders)
2nd- P.A. Parenteau (New York Islanders)
3rd- Andrew Mac Donald (New York Islanders)

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