"It's the same recipe we've had for success all year," McCabe said. "It's getting pucks in and getting in on the forecheck and putting pressure on their D, turning the pucks over. Like I've said this whole year, that's where we're at our best and we know that's where we're at our best but for some reason we tend to go away from that."
"We just needed to continue to move our feet," Okposo added. "We had, you know, so many good shifts in the offensive zone in the first period and then after that it just kind of seemed to die. We were just one and done or none and done. We just kind of sat back and let them have at it."
To do that was especially dangerous given the fact that they were going up against a playoff team with the NHL's hottest player in Forsberg, who entered the night with eight goals in his last four games. Johansen was all alone when Forsberg fed him on the rush to recapture the momentum for Nashville midway through the third-period, and Forsberg tied the game himself on a mini 2-on-1 rush with 2:23 remaining.
Buffalo was given another chance when Viktor Arvidsson was called for boarding with 2.8 seconds left in regulation, giving the Sabres a 4-on-3 power play to open the overtime period. The quartet of Okposo, Ryan O'Reilly, Jack Eichel and Rasmus Ristolainen did put four shots on net, but was unable to beat Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne.
Forsberg banked his game-winning goal in off the crossbar on a 2-on-1 rush with 2:15 remaining in overtime after Sam Reinhart had his shot blocked deep in the Nashville zone.
Robin Lehner, who was given clearance to play this morning after missing the game on Sunday due to a neck injury, made 36 saves on 41 shots.
"I don't think the third period today or against Arizona is us not doing the game plan or us getting off the page," Bylsma said. "It's just more of a mindset, more of a situational game read of how we need to play and playing the right way and playing on top of guys to finish a game out."
"It's being fragile," Gionta said. "It's being a young team trying to find our way. When we have those leads we can't sit back and wait for teams to bring it to us."
What makes it more difficult is the possibility that, when the Sabres next take the ice, this team may not look the same. The trade deadline looms at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and Buffalo has lost four games in a row with just 19 left to play.
"Deadline's not a fun thing when you're in a position like we are," Okposo said. "We had a chance a few days ago to ride a different course and weren't able to do that so this one stings. I haven't been part of a team where it's been like that.
"I feel like I've always known whether we were going to be buyers or sellers, so this one stings. We've got a good group and tomorrow's a tough day."
