3 Takeaways From Sabres’ 5-1 Game 2 Loss to Canadiens – Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

It would have been difficult for Buffalo Sabers fans and players not to ride high following their victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. In what many expect to be a tough, long series, the Sabers delivered a very important statement win in the opening game.

But many predicted this would be a seven-game series for a reason. The Canadiens came out of Game 2 and came to the Sabers early, bringing their statement. When all was said and done, the Canadiens secured a 5-1 victory and sent the series back to Montreal tied 1-1.

Tage Thompson Should Be Better

The Sabers will rely on different guys to finally get past Montreal and go to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2007. But one of the names they rely on the most is Tage Thompson and he was just plain bad in Game 2.

In Game 1, Thompson acquitted himself well in helping them. In Game 2, he was the polar opposite. With the Sabers trailing 3-1 at the start of the third period, Thompson made a critical transition on the Canadiens’ blue line, which was picked up by Alexandre Carrier and turned into the Canadiens’ fourth goal. Thompson also turned the puck over in the neutral zone, leading to an empty net goal for the Canadiens.

It highlighted a rough night for the Sabers where turnovers abounded. Against an explosive, dangerous Canadiens team, that’s not something that can happen every time you hope to win. Thompson has to be better and he knows it.

Rasmus Dahlin, Again

The Sabers also need more from their captain. Even though players like Zach Benson have gotten a lot of attention, the team is still running on Dahlin. In the two games against the Canadiens, he didn’t have the strength we all hoped for.

In Game 2, one game stands out, in particular. Less than five minutes into the second half, with the Sabers trailing 2-0, Jake Evans lifted a shot up the right wall. He found Alex Newhook hitting the net, untouched by Dahlin, to make it 3-0.

Dahlin could have easily tied Newhook’s stick but was distracted looking at the puck. Dahlin is a world-class defender, and this is the type of mistake he cannot make. The loyal defender was left staring in dismay and knowing that he would not make such mistakes.

Power Play is still a Big Problem

Unfortunately, the two words above play into our third take. After finding some success in Game 1 with the second unit, the power play team once again struggled to make things happen.

The team went 0-5 against the Canadiens in Game 2, continuing a trend of not being strong on the power play in these playoffs. Local entries are a visual problem, they tend to fill up on the green line and turn elsewhere.

There is too much talent in this team to struggle this way. They need to find ways to get into the zone, set up, and start creating chaos in front of the net. Something other than what they are doing right now.

Remove, Proceed to Game 3

The Sabers were punched in the mouth early in Game 2 and never got off the mat. They had places where it looked like they could respond, but Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes was outstanding. It’s going to be a long series.

One thing that Sabers fans can hang their hats on is that they were dogs in the opening round, winning three times in Boston. The difference is that this Canadiens team is much better than the Bruins, and the Sabers will need to come out swinging in that first game in Montreal.