In Buffalo, the Sabres found their defense on Saturday, but lost their offense in a 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. 
Thatcher Demko made 26 saves for the shut out.
“‘Demmer’, when you look at him, even the shots that went wide, he looks so big in the net,” Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said. “That’s typical Demko. Very solid, doesn’t get rattled. Looks big in the net. Just a [heck] of a game by him.”
The Canucks improved to 29-11-3.
Sam Lafferty was the lone striker in the game, he connected at 2:05 of the middle frame. A shot from the point hit Lafferty and he potted the rebound for the goal.
“I just think it shows we can win games different ways, which is really important here down the stretch,” Lafferty said. “Games are going to get harder and harder. Some games might be high scoring, some games are going to be like this, so it’s good to know we can play any style.”
The Sabres dropped to 18-21-4.
“We did a nice job of limiting them, nice job to play hard, had chances to win,” Buffalo coach Don Granato said. “But nobody’s going to be satisfied with that. I can assure you that our group is not. And obviously I’m not.”
The Canucks locked down on the defensive side of the puck kept the Sabres to the outside,
“The [Nils] Hoglander line, [Nils Aman], Lafferty went out there, that was a big, big shift and all of the sudden it kind of energized our team,” Tocchet said.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 22 in the loss.
“I think I would have liked to have one-timed it,” Buffalo’s Casey Mittelstadt said. “I just couldn’t see it that well going through the defenseman. I still thought I got it off really quick and up. I think probably nine times out of 10, that goes in. Obviously, I’m going to have to go back and watch it tonight. But yeah, that one stung. I’m out there to make plays and I’ve got to put that one in.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.