Last year was a huge disappointment for the Sabres. Two years ago we fell just a point short of making the playoffs with the outlook of the youngest team in the league making strides that made this city excited about hockey again. The issue back then was the goaltending and defense. That improved a ton last year, but the offense fell completely flat. Lousy year, going 39-37-6 and missing the playoffs. In the offseason, Buffalo hired Lindy Ruff to come back and be the head coach again. As much as I love Lindy, I didn’t think that was the best hire, but as I said in my blog when he got hired, hopefully I’m wrong and he can help this team and this city capture the magic of his 

Both teams had some quality scoring chances early before Stefon Noesen with 11:21 left in the first period got the first goal of the game and this NHL season, as Johnathan Kovacevic capitalized on a turnover from Jason Zucker on the wall in a clear, leading to a wide open Noesen right in front, who beat UPL top shelf. The Devils made it 2-0 with 4:18 left in the period, with a screened shot by Kovacevic from up top getting deflected into the net. Not a bad opening 20 minutes, but Jersey was clearly the better team in the first period, outshooting the Sabres 11-7. Both goaltenders made some solid saves. Similar to how we saw so much last year, Buffalo had a bit of a slow start to this game, but didn’t play too bad and the penalty kill looked pretty solid, killing off both of the Devils’ opportunities.

Buffalo came out looking much better to start the second period but 3:29 into it, the Sabres couldn’t find the puck and clear it, which led to Nico Hischier ripping the puck in to put the Devils up 3-0. Sloppy play by the Sabres defense in their own zone to give up that chance. Much more evenly played period and the Sabres played better, but we’re still in a 3-0 hole.

With 9:51 left in the game, Owen Power with a quick shot in front of the net on a solid scoring chance off a rebound ended the shutout, putting the Sabres on the board with their first goal of the season, cutting the deficit to 3-1. The Sabres comeback effort fell short though and with lousy transitional play, Paul Cotter ended the game with an empty netter to put Jersey up 4-1 with 2:32 left in the game.

FINAL: Sabres 1, Devils 4

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Lousy game to start the season as we fall 4-1 to the Devils. New year, same story. This felt exactly like watching them last year. Markstrom was fantastic early in the game and with sloppy defensive played Buffalo got in a hole that they couldn’t climb out of. The second two periods we definitely played better, ending the game generating 3.49 expected goals to Jersey’s 2.71 and outshooting the Devils 31-23, but it was too late.

It’s gonna be a long fucking season.

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