Unable to answer early push, Sabres head into break with loss to Canes

RALEIGH, N.C. -Playing for the second time in as many nights, the Buffalo Sabres knew to expect a strong push from the Carolina Hurricanes to begin their contest at PNC Arena on Saturday night. Being ready for that push was Phil Housley's primary message to his team prior to the game.
The Hurricanes did indeed come out firing, but the Sabres had no answer. Sebastian Aho scored on the very first shift of the game, setting the course for a 4-2 Carolina win.
"We talked about it before the game, and you understand that this team likes to come out and establish territory right off the bat," Housley said. "We weren't ready to play. That's on everybody in the room. Our team, everybody has to contribute, everybody has to be pulling the rope and being ready to play. On that first shift, we weren't."

Carolina unleashed a barrage of shots against Sabres goalie Chad Johnson on that opening shift, until a rebound finally found its way to Aho alone in the slot. Aho took a turn-around shot that put the Hurricanes on the board with just 33 seconds having ticked off the clock.
With the Hurricanes possessing an early lead, the Sabres found themselves behind the eight ball right off the bat. The conservative, careful style of play that defined their win over Philadelphia 24 hours prior was replaced with a turnover-heavy game reminiscent of their early-season struggles.
The lopsided nature of the game showed in the shot totals, which favored Carolina by a 38-24 tally.
"Number one they were physical, we didn't match that," Housley said. "They competed, we didn't match that. We were slow, they looked fast. We didn't close quick and we didn't get our feet moving, and as a result they were coming back at us."
The Hurricanes tacked on three goals in the second period, the first of which came from captain Jordan Staal on a 5-on-3 power play. The latter two were scored by defenseman Justin Faulk, both on odd-man rushes.
Following Staal's goal, which came just 1:53 into the period, the Sabres responded with a goal of their own from Nathan Beaulieu less than a minute later. Any momentum was quickly squandered, however, when an ill-advised pinch down the left-wing boards paved the opening for Faulk to score on a 2-on-1 rush.
Faulk's second goal, scored with 8:44 remaining in the period, came on a 4-on-2 rush.
"Maybe a little lack of concentration," Beaulieu said. "When you get behind the eight ball right away, you try to force things. You try to make things happen. It's not the way to do it."
The Sabres scored once more before the second period ended, a faceoff play set up by Jack Eichel that ended with Zemgus Girgensons tapping the puck into an open net, but that was as close as they'd come to a comeback.

Johnson took the loss despite making 34 saves, bringing his record this season to 1-6-3. His teammates have been unanimous in saying that they haven't provided him with the type of support he deserves, which was the story again on Saturday.
"I feel bad for Chad," Housley said. "He gave us another excellent game, but he was under a barrage in the first period and odd-man rushes in the second. We just didn't give him the support he needed. Every time he's stepped in, for some reason, we've sort of left him hung out to dry."
Johnson said he's continuing to stay positive, but was otherwise at a loss when trying to describe the night.
"It was a tough night," he said. "I don't really know what to say right now. It's been a tough year for me. I don't know what to say to be honest."
With the loss, the Sabres head into their break for the holidays with a record of 9-20-7. It's far from where they hoped to be at the outset of the season, and Girgensons said it's important that they use the upcoming three days off to reflect on where they need to improve.
"Everyone has to look at themselves and figure out what's happening," he said. "What can you do better for the team? Take three days to think about it."

O'Reilly leaves to attend childbirth

Ryan O'Reilly left the team before the game on Saturday to be with his fiancée in Buffalo while she gave birth to their newborn son. Housley said after the game that O'Reilly was able to make it in time to be there for the birth.
"I'm glad he was able to get there," Housley said. "It's pretty special to be with your first-born child, and that was one of the positives of the day."
On the ice, O'Reilly's absence was felt. The Sabres were 15-for-45 in the faceoff circle, where they typically count on O'Reilly to take more than half of their draws.
"When you start without possession, especially on the road, it makes it difficult," Housley said. "All the dots on the ice, we just didn't do a very good job. Obviously Ryan's a big part of that."

Up next

The Sabres will take a three-day break for the holidays before heading to Brooklyn to meet the New York Islanders on Wednesday. After that, they'll face the New Jersey Devils on Friday and the New York Rangers at the 2018 Bridgestone Winter Classic on Sunday.
Coverage of Wednesday's game begins at 6:30 p.m. with GMC Gamenight on MSG-B, or you can listen live on WGR 550. Puck drop is schedule for 7 p.m.
Looking for a hockey fix in the meantime? The 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship begins in Buffalo on Dec. 26, featuring some of the Sabres' top prospects. You can find tickets and follow the tournament at BuffaloWorldJuniors.com.