The lineup appeared a bit completely different for the Buffalo Sabres as they took on the New York Islanders. In an try and get a number of gamers going, the traces had been shaken up a bit. Coming off a 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers, it was necessary that the Sabres not get mired in a stoop.

But right here we sit within the wake of a 4-3 loss to the Islanders, the Sabres’ second in a row. Whereas the frustration is certainly palpable, there are a number of key takeaways to have a look at. Let’s get into it to see what we are able to study from the newest loss for the Sabres.

Jason Zucker Has Been an Glorious Match

The one manifestly apparent brilliant aspect was the play of Jason Zucker. After final night time’s efficiency, Zucker is tied for second on the group in factors and is in a five-way tie for the group lead in assists with six. He’s merely delivered above and past expectations for a Sabres group seeking to significantly enhance this season.

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On Friday night time, he delivered a Gordie Howe hat trick – a purpose, an help, and a battle. The battle, particularly, delivered a spark of vitality to a group that appears to have hassle sustaining it this season. The truth that he additionally scored the primary two objectives of the season for a slumping energy play solely underscores his worth.

Maybe extra importantly, Zucker acquired a bit life out of the struggling Dylan Cozens. Cozens acquired on the board early along with his first of the season and the sheer elation on his face was unmistakable. Hopefully, this can be a mutually helpful relationship transferring ahead.

About Rasmus Dahlin

Rasmus Dahlin isn’t having the form of season most envisioned.  His first season as captain of the Sabres has gotten off to a sluggish begin, although he’s starting to see a quiet uptick in his offensive output. But for somebody who needs to be conceivably contending for a Norris Trophy, it doesn’t fairly really feel prefer it’s sufficient.

He’s been coping with accidents on and off because the first session of coaching camp. He’s been noticeably unnoticeable, not making grievous errors however not standing out in the best way that we’ve come to count on from the younger Swedish defender.

It is a lengthy season and the truth that he’s beginning to collect extra assists is an encouraging signal. It will be good to see him stand out a bit extra on the facility play, one thing that may little doubt assist drag that pathetic unit out of the depths of the league’s basement.

The Goaltending Is Inconsistent

This recreation might have been a microcosm of the goaltending state of affairs in Buffalo to date this season. Devon Levi wasn’t dangerous – in reality, he was fairly good till he took himself means out of place on the fourth and decisive purpose by the Islanders. He turned away 32 of 36 pictures on the night time, a good effort on the entire.

Coming into the season, many felt just like the Sabres had a borderline top-15 goaltending mixture. But right here we sit via 11 video games, each goalies carrying inflated objectives in opposition to averages and sub-.900 save percentages. There are flashes of what we got here to count on from them, however flashes simply aren’t sufficient.

The Sabres thought they had been getting constantly high quality play in web between Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.  As an alternative, it’s been a guessing recreation as to when every participant would discover a groove and the way lengthy it might final. UPL will little doubt be the following man up in opposition to the Detroit Purple Wings and he wants to seek out his stride.

Sabres Are Too Inconsistent

It’s in all probability going to be stated fairly a bit this season, however this feels rather a lot like the identical previous Sabres in additional obscure methods. They play with an improved toughness in comparison with seasons previous, however the effort doesn’t really feel prefer it’s there constantly for 60 minutes each night time. There are flashes of dominance and even longer spells of frustration.

Delivering for 60 minutes an evening over 82 video games is nearly not possible. However the factor that separates the nice groups from these just like the Sabres is that the core appears to be like previous the justifications to seek out options. They discover that additional one thing that permits them to seize video games they conceivably shouldn’t win. That’s what’s been lacking from the Sabres and there’s no signal that it’s been discovered.