Today the Sabres had an early matinee, looking decent early but completely fading in a 3-1 loss at home to a way better Avalanche team.

The Sabres had a couple decent chances early, but the Avalanche got on the board first with a beautiful individual effort in the middle of the offensive zone for Nathan MacKinnon on a backhand shot just 3:14 into the game after a filthy spin-o-rama off the wall with the puck to get in open space. With 3:28 left in the first, Tage Thompson tied up the game at 1-1 with a screened shot from the blue line that beat Wedgewood short side. Buffalo actually looked pretty good in that first period, hanging in there with a way better Avs team and outshooting them with some good scoring chances in front.

Colorado took the lead back 4:42 into the second period as Val Nichushkin got the puck with the Sabres turning it over on a failed clear, took it right down the center of the ice and dished it in front to Cale Makar for an easy goal on the open net with Lyon slid over to Nichushkin. Terrible defense for Buffalo leading to that one. The Nate Dogg got his second of the game on the power play with 8:01 left in the second, with a quick shot skating into the slot from the left circle to put the Avs up 3-1. Not a great period giving up those two goals in the middle of the ice.

The Avalanche made it 4-1 with 12:34 left in regulation with Marty Necas getting the rebound and putting it past Lyon right in front. After review though, the play was offsides on the zone entry, taking the goal off the board. Dumbest rule in hockey. If the linesmen don’t call it on the entry, there’s no reason it should lead to an unrelated play taking time to review and then taking the goal off the board. I’ve been ranting about this for years, and it’s still ridiculous to me. In the third the Sabres got outshot 15-4, never even having a chance 

FINAL: Sabres 1, Avalanche 3

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The Sabres shockingly didn’t start off slow and hung in with Colorado early today, but as the game went on, the Avs showed how much better of a team they are and how slow and an entire step back Buffalo is.

Back at it Wednesday night with the Senators coming to town. I’m sure we’ll be 0-4 after that one.

At least Colorado ML was easy money to start the day today.

This team’s fucking pathetic. Tank for McKenna.

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