Sabres showing they're not yet playoff caliber

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)-- During a season in which the Sabres have actually flashed glimpses of readiness to end the longest postseason drought in NHL history, this month has offered a cold wave of truth that winter will continue a while longer for the franchise and its fans.

Buffalo began March with a 7-1 loss in Boston, to that point the most uneven defeat of the season. The top group in the Eastern Conference skated into KeyBank Center on Sunday and asserted its superiority not long after the anthems and shut the door to any resistance the Sabres might summon in a 7-0 shellacking.

Losing by 7 goals for the first time considering that a Jan. 15, 2015 versus Minnesota throughout the organization's strategic tank for the top draft choice, Buffalo is still just 6 points out of a playoff spot. But the Sabres (33-30-6) have tallied just 6 points over the past 11 video games (2-7-2), getting outscored by 24 objectives. Outclassed twice in 18 days by the opponent they would likely deal with in the preliminary, together with a 10-4 beatdown from the Stars last week, the Sabres have actually lost 3 games by 6 objectives or more in the exact same month for the very first time in franchise history.

" It's simply undesirable by us, this last stretch," stated center Dylan Cozens, who at least revealed the Sabres would not decrease without a fight when he stood up to Boston's Travis Frederic in the 2nd period after Frederic got a few shots in on Buffalo's All-Star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic (11) and Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) fight during the 2nd period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes).

" I just sort of wished to complete a check on him after what he did to Dahlin," Cozens said. "He simply type of wished to go after that and just chose that may be a great time. We were down 4-0 and require a stimulate.".

Buffalo got booed by its home fans entering into the first intermission down 4-0, however not so much at the conclusion of Sunday's slaughter. That's because so couple of stayed that long. Thousands of Bruins fans remained after the last whistle, cheering as Boston's goaltenders, winning backup Jeremy Swayman and Vezina Trophy preferred Linus Ullmark, the former Sabre, jumped into each other's arms on the ice.

The Sabres weren't beat rather as thoroughly as the final rating recommends. They held a small edge in shots on objective (27-26), and benefits in shot efforts (56-37), scoring possibilities (31-26), and high-danger possibilities (16-9).

" I do think for the most part it was a pretty even video game, methods both chances," Cozens stated. "But they capitalized and we didn't.".

Swayman was exceptional, notching his second consecutive shutout and enhancing to 6-0-1 all-time against the Sabres.

Sabres goalie Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen continued his late season swoon, losing for the ninth time in 11 starts, with a 4.25 goals-against average in that period. The 24-year-old's.741 save portion was the second-worst of his NHL career, following a Feb. 21 loss when Luukkonen permitted 4 objectives in the fist 12:09 against the Leafs. It took 12:12 for the Bruins to score 4 on Sunday, but Sabres coach Don Granato decreased to replace Luukkonen with 41-year-old Craig Anderson.

" When you consider putting another person in, they might have to play 2 days later on. There's lots of different things your weighing in that situation," Granato stated.

We know he's established a lot in the last couple years. Wasn't ready to play in the NHL 2 years ago, a year ago. We didn't understand if he was at the start of this year as he began the year in Rochester.

LINEUPS.

Sabres D Kyle Clague played for the very first time after sitting five video games in replacing Jacob Bryson. RW JJ Peterka returned after a one-game rest, and changed Vinnie Hinostroza.

LEVI UPDATE.

Granato stated newly signed Northeastern goalie Devon Levi is with the group however likely will not have the ability to practice till at least Tuesday while awaiting immigration clearance. Levi signed with Buffalo on Friday after completing his junior season. He won the Mike Richter Award as college hockey's leading goalie a year back, and is a finalist this year.

UP NEXT.

Sabres host the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

***.

Jonah Bronstein signed up with the News 4 lineup in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. Find out more of his work here.

The Associated Press added to this report.