With two goalies playing at the top of their games and two teams knotted in a scoreless tie, it became evident as the third period drew closer to its end that the winner between the Buffalo Sabres and the St. Louis Blues at KeyBank Center on Saturday night could come down to one decisive bounce.
Actually, it came down to three. Carl Gunnarsson roofed a shot through traffic past Robin Lehner to put the Blues on the board with 5:41 remaining, while Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen each came inches from tying the game in the final minute of a 1-0 loss for the Sabres.
It was a more complete effort than their loss to Florida on Thursday, but simply competing against one of the NHL's top teams was of little consolation for Jack Eichel and the other players who spoke afterward.
Lehner's strong effort comes up short as Sabres fall to Blues
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