Sabres Blow 2-Goal Lead As They Fall To Pittsburgh

Well, you never like to lose. And you really don't like to lose after you've had a two goal lead in the game. The Sabres experienced the pain of blowing a two goal lead and losing Saturday night as they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2.

The Sabres got off to a very fast start.

Paul Gaustad scored 17 seconds into the game to give the Sabres a 1-0 lead.

Then, seven minutes into the first period, Mike Grier added his third goal of the season and the Sabres went ahead 2-0.

Buffalo remained ahead 2-0 entering the first intermission.

You figured that the Sabres had to keep chipping at Pittsburgh. Despite the two goal lead, no lead is safe versus Pittsburgh even with them missing Sidney Crosby.

In fact, Pittsburgh came back from a two goal deficit earlier this week versus the New York Rangers.

The Sabres didn't press hard enough on the pedal though. Pittsburgh dominated the action in the second period and the tone of the game quickly changed.

Pittsburgh scored three goals in under a three and a half minute span to not only erase Buffalo's lead but to take the lead for themselves at 3-2.

Dustin Jeffrey started the scoring just under four minutes into the second period to bring the Penguins within one.

Then Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke scored less than a minute apart from each other and Pittsburgh took the lead at 3-2.

Nobody else scored the rest of the way and the Pittsburgh sent Buffalo home with a 3-2 loss.

The loss doesn't kill the Sabres but it was a blown opportunity to make up ground in the playoff chase.

The Sabres are currently in 11th place in the eastern conference but are only six points back of 8th place Atlanta with four games in hand.

Carolina and Florida are also ahead of Buffalo but the Sabres have two games in hand on both of them.

On Saturday night, Atlanta takes on Carolina. This makes it critical that Buffalo wins their next game so they don't lose more ground on 8th place.

The Sabres next play February 5th at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Attendance: 18,315

Buffalo's Record: 23-22-5 (51 points) 11th in the Eastern Conference

Points Back Of Playoffs: 6 points back of Atlanta (4 games in hand)

Last 10: 6-4

Interesting Note: Sidney Crosby has not played since January 5th

Key Stat: Pittsburgh scored 3 goals in a 3 minute 14 seconds span in the 2nd period

Three Stars:

1st- Matt Cooke (Pittsburgh)

2nd- Tyler Kennedy (Pittsburgh)

3rd- Paul Gaustad (Buffalo)