The beginning of 2025 has looked a lot like the end of 2024 for the Buffalo Sabres, as they dropped their third straight contest on Saturday night, 3-1, against old friend Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Outside of a three-game win streak in late December, the Sabres have rarely been reprieved from the frustration of yet another losing season over the last month.
On Saturday, it seemed like Buffalo was destined for another defeat from puck drop, as the Golden Knights scored twice in the first period, setting off a string of frustration in the Sabres' captain after the final buzzer had sounded.
"Started too late. It just cannot happen in this league. You have to be ready the first whistle," Rasmus Dahlin said post-game, according to The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington. "They rolled over us first period and then we started playing good again. Too late. We have to be better. This is not acceptable."
The Golden Knights have totalled a league-high 33 points while going 16-3-1 since Nov. 21 to take over the No. 1 spot in the NHL with 57 points — leapfrogging the Winnipeg Jets, who lost to Detroit.
Tanner Laczynski, Mark Stone and Jack Eichel all scored for Vegas, while Tanner Pearson added two assists.
Jason Zucker scored for Buffalo and James Reimer made 30 saves. The Sabres closed out a four-game road trip with a third-straight loss.
"We have to come to the realization that we can't be a young team anymore," Dahlin later added. "We have to learn these little things all the vets know about and we have to step up. We can't do this."
Takeaways
Sabres: Buffalo arrived in Vegas on a three-game win streak against Vegas. The Sabres had outscored the Golden Knights 15-6 in the three previous meetings.
Golden Knights: During Vegas’ 20-game stretch since Nov. 21, it’s allowed a league-low 2.20 goals per game. The Knights have allowed two goals or fewer in 14 of those games.
Key moment
Early in the third period, with the Sabres showing a bit of pep in their step, Dahlin drove in on the right side and fired a wrist shot shoulder high, but Adin Hill’s quick glove snared the puck to thwart Buffalo’s momentum.
Key stat
Stone’s goal was the 600th point of his career. According to the NHL, he became the eighth-fastest active Canadian player to reach the mark.
Up Next
Sabres host Washington on Monday night, while the Golden Knights visit San Jose on Tuesday night.
— With files from Sportsnet Staff
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.