Mishkin's Extra Shift: Sabres 5, Lightning 1

This frustrating start of the season continues for the Lightning. Once again, they allowed the first goal of the game. Once again, they didn't have the lead at any point during regulation. And once again, they found themselves trailing after two periods. It has happened in all six games they've played this year. In three of the previous four (prior to this one), they had rallied to earn points. But they weren't able to do it against the Sabres, who added to their 2-1 lead early in the third and then tacked on two empty-netters before the final buzzer.

The Lightning did a number of things well, particularly in the first two periods. They owned a big possession advantage, posted a majority of the shots and attempts, and created more scoring chances than the Sabres. But other than Alex Killorn's deflection goal late in the first period, they couldn't solve goalie Craig Anderson. On the other hand, the Sabres, who created far fewer chances than the Lightning, were more efficient at turning their looks into goals. And their first three goals came on chances that were extremely dangerous, with all three stemming from Lightning miscues. On the first, Brian Elliott couldn't track a rebound of his save on Tage Thompson's shot. That led to an open-net rebound goal for Victor Olafsson. Drake Caggiula's breakaway goal in the final minute of the second period was the result of a Lightning turnover at the offensive blufeline. And Vinnie Hinostroza's insurance tally came after another costly Lightning turnover just inside the defensive blue line.
So despite ceding much of the possession time to the Lightning, the Sabres earned the two points because they were able to finish their chances, they avoided major miscues, they defended hard without the puck, and their goalie produced a rock-solid performance.
The Lightning wrap up their back-to-back on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. We'll see if they can finally grab a lead in a game and force their opponent to play from behind.
Lightning Radio Three Stars of the Game:
1. Craig Anderson - Sabres. 35 saves.
2. Zemgus Girgensons - Sabres. Assist. 13-5 on face-offs.
3. Robert Hagg - Sabres. ENG and assist. Plus three.