The Sabres came out looking like the team that had jumped to an early lead on its way to win a win in Toronto on Saturday, establishing a forecheck early and earning the first goal off the stick of Tyler Ennis a mere 4:58 into the game. Even after Vancouver scored twice with the aid of power plays to erase that lead, Okposo's goal seemed to be one that could shift momentum back in Buffalo's favor.
The Canucks got their first goal in the second period off the stick of Alexandre Burrows, who scored on a 3-on-2 rush. Their second goal of the period came from Michael Chaput with a one-time shot just as a Vancouver power play expired.
Chaput had also scored Vancouver's second goal of the first period seconds after the end of a power play ended when the Sabres turned the puck over deep in their own zone, while Bo Horvat got the Canucks on the board originally with a deflected goal with eight seconds remaining on their first power play of the night.
Okposo, however, debunked the idea that special teams were the difference.
"We didn't play well enough to win that game. It's just not good enough," he said. "… Turnovers, not getting the puck in, we just didn't execute. There were passes that weren't on the tape. I mean, it was just sloppy.
"That's something that, we have a good game last night and a big win for us, and we've got to try and ride some momentum and we go out there and lay an egg. It's just … It gets old but we've got to try and find a way to string some together."
With their missed opportunity to gain ground, the Sabres remain five points back from Toronto in the wild card spot. It's still a closeable gap, but with the Trade Deadline looming in less than three weeks, Lehner said something will have to chagce on the ice quick if the players want to avoid any changes in the dressing room.
"Reality's going to come real quick if we don't figure it out," he said. "It's how it is, I mean you can't hide from it. This building, these fans, they deserve better. Our coaching staff deserves better. At the end of the day, it's only the guys in this room. It's no one else's fault."