It was just the sixth time the Wings have lost in regulation to the Sabres since the start of the 1997-98 season.
It also marked the first time the Sabres have won consecutive games in Detroit since they won five straight from Feb. 16, 1980 to Dec. 12, 1981.
1. Special teams: It wasn't shocking that the Sabres scored both of their goals on the power play, going 2-for-2. Jack Eichel and Matt Moulson scored for the Sabres. Moulson has 10 power-play goals and Eichel has nine. Rasmus Ristolainen, who assisted on Eichel's goal, has 24 power-play assists and leads the Sabres with 39 assists. Buffalo came into the game with the second ranked power play in the league. But their penalty kill was ranked 29th and the Wings could not capitalize on any of their four opportunities.
Quotable: "That's in the end the difference in the the game. Lots of times in this league, I've said it lots, it comes down to that. So that was that and I didn't think in the first we were good enough. Those were the two things that stand out to me. I thought we were much better in the second and the third but we needed a better first. I thought our power play generated some chances. It generated six shots but it didn't generate a goal and we obviously needed one, especially late in the game." - Wings coach Jeff Blashill
Quotable II: "They probably scouted us a little bit and took away what's been working before. We had to adjust a little bit. I thought we had a few chances in the end. I think one hit the post there and I think Kronner (Niklas Kronwall) had a good chance too, but when you have that many chances you would like to see it at least go in." - Henrik Zetterberg
2. Tomas Tatar: Last season, Tatar had 21 goals in 81 games. In his 71st game of this season, Tatar equaled that mark. At 12:53 of the second period, Tatar drove to the net and sent Mike Green's pass past Buffalo goaltender Robin Lehner. It was Tatar's third goal in two games and ninth in the last 14. Tatar also extended his point streak to three games and has four goals and two assists in that span. Zetterberg also assisted on the goal, extending his point streak to three games. Zetterberg has one goal and four assists in that span. Zetterberg also reached the 60-point mark for the eighth time in his career.
Quotable: "I made a pass to the middle to Hank and he passed it wide. I just tried to skate full speed down by the net and Mike made a beautiful play, it was just a tap-in." - Tatar
3. Tomas Nosek: With Darren Helm out with a lower-body injury until at least Friday, the Wings recalled Nosek on an emergency basis for the second time. This time, Nosek got to play, centering the fourth line with Drew Miller and Luke Glendening. Nosek played in six games last season with the Wings. Nosek played in 15 shifts for 10:05 ice time but made his impact felt, leading all skaters with six shots on goal. He also won all four of his face-offs.
Quotable: "Every time I step on the ice, I want to prove something, like be good defensively or create something on offense. Couple chances there but we lost." - Nosek
Quotable II: "I thought Nosie played well. I thought he skated well. He can make a play with the puck. He's good and accountable defensively. I said it earlier today, when you're accountable defensively that earns you trust. You get on the ice. I thought he was good and I thought he was dangerous. He would've created some chances out there for sure. (Anthony) Mantha slid down to his line after the first and I thought Mantha played great for the second and third and I thought it was a good combo." - Blashill
