Coach Jon Cooper said he didn't feel the three forwards were giving Tampa Bay the best chance to win. The Lightning trailed 4-1 after two periods.
"We have a set of standards here that everybody adheres to, and it's not pick and choose. It's everybody," Cooper said. "It's how it was for today and those guys are an extremely important part of our team, but for 20 minutes tonight, I thought the other guys could get it done, and they almost did."
Tampa Bay (37-20-5) has lost four straight (0-3-1), its longest stretch without a win this season, and is third in the Atlantic Division, five points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for second.
Each of the three forwards lapsed in defensive-zone coverage at some point on the three Buffalo goals in the second period.
Stamkos, who was on the ice for all three of those goals, was out of position, allowing Vinnie Hinostroza to walked into a one-timer from the right hash marks that put the Sabres ahead 2-1 at 5:35.
Later, Kucherov skated toward Buffalo defenseman Mattias Samuelsson, who was already covered, as he tried to intercept a pass by Dylan Cozens, allowing Tyson Jost to get to the front of the net for a goal that made it 3-1 at 12:30. He also was on the ice for a shift of 2:44 that began with 3:11 remaining in the second.
In the closing seconds of the period, Point was slow to react as Sabres forward Tage Thompson led a rush before sending a pass to a wide-open Jack Quinn, whose goal from the right face-off circle pushed the lead to 4-1 with 14 seconds left. Stamkos was also caught deep in the offensive zone on the play.
"You've got to come here and go to work," Cooper said. "It's the best league in the world with the best players in the world, and if you're not on it, you're not giving to the standard that this franchise has set the standard bar for me in the League for the last how many years, you can't go out there. Like I said, those guys, there's a reason we have a standard that high -- because of those guys."
Stamkos, who is the Tampa Bay captain, Point and Kucherov won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021 under Cooper, who is in his 11th season coaching the team. At 485-258-67 in 810 games under Cooper, the Lightning have the second highest point percentage (.640) in the NHL since 2012-13 (Boston Bruins, .657).
The three forwards are Tampa Bay's top three scorers this season. Kucherov has 88 points (23 goals, 65 assists), Point 73 (39 goals, 34 assists) and Stamkos 65 (27 goals, 38 assists). Each has played all 62 games.
Asked whether benching the forwards sends a message to his team, Cooper said that is a question for the players.
The Lightning players said that it does.
"Obviously 'Coop's' trying to send a message there, but that goes for the whole team," forward Anthony Cirelli said. "Each and every one of us has got to elevate our game and just got to work a little bit harder and be better for a full 60."
Forward Pat Maroon said it sends a message "for sure," given the role and impact the three have on the ice and in the dressing room.
"I think with 'Stammer,' 'Kuch' and Point, they'll respond well to it," he said. "They're veteran players and leaders on this team, and they're very vocal about it. They're mad about it and they'll man up to it and own up to it. And I think that's why this locker room has been so good over the last few years is that we all hold each other accountable."
