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HomeSportsSabres observations: Eric Comrie harm one other twist in Buffalo’s goalie scenario

Sabres observations: Eric Comrie harm one other twist in Buffalo’s goalie scenario

NEWARK, N.J. — The Buffalo Sabres haven’t had an optimum goaltending scenario to start out the 2023-24 season. They stored three goalies on their roster, beginning Devon Levi in 4 straight video games earlier than he received a lower-body harm. That paved the way in which for Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to each get within the web, and the pair strung collectively three respectable begins throughout a 2-1 stretch for the Sabres.

Then on Friday evening in a back-and-forth, 5-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Sabres’ goalie scenario took one other flip when Eric Comrie left the sport with a lower-body harm within the second interval. He was pushing off the put up and made a proper pad save earlier than dropping to the ice. He managed to skate slowly off the ice with teammates by his aspect, however Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen needed to enter the sport. Shortly after he got here in, Luukkonen confronted a breakaway after Erik Haula received behind Rasmus Dahlin for a breakaway penalty kill purpose that put the Devils up 3-2.

 

It was that form of evening for the Sabres, who caught with among the finest groups within the Jap Convention however couldn’t come away with a win due to premature errors and a few dangerous breaks that had been outdoors of their management.

“I don’t suppose there’s something that’s going to waver our confidence,” mentioned Sabres middle Tage Thompson, who scored his fourth purpose of the season on this recreation. “Everybody on this room is aware of we’re a superb group, whether or not we have now a full lineup or have guys injured. That’s the character of our group. We’ve got a number of guys who wish to win for one another. We battled laborious tonight and a few unlucky penalty kills however that occurs.”

Don Granato didn’t have a direct replace on Comrie after the sport and mentioned he’d know extra when the group is again in Buffalo Saturday. The Sabres have been with out Levi for per week, however Granato mentioned earlier than the sport if the Sabres didn’t have three goalies, he would seemingly be in. As a result of they’ve three goalies, the group determined to not rush him again. Whether or not meaning Levi will be capable to both begin or backup when the Sabres host the Avalanche on Sunday stays to be seen.

However goaltending wasn’t on the entrance of Granato’s thoughts after this loss. He mentioned Luukkonen’s efficiency in aid was “the least of my issues.” He thought the 24-year-old was ample in stopping 18 of the 21 photographs he confronted. The primary purpose was a breakaway. The second got here on a Devils energy play when Luke Hughes beat him clear, and the third purpose was a deflection in entrance by Haula.

“It’s been a unique season till this level and I simply need to be prepared for it,” Luukkonen mentioned. “There’s not a lot else to consider. I’ve mentioned it earlier than, it doesn’t matter when the possibility or recreation comes, you need to be prepared for it. No matter now occurs I’ve to embrace the second.”

If Levi isn’t able to backup, the Sabres’ best choice is Devin Cooley, who began Friday evening for Rochester within the AHL.

Even with a mid-game goalie change and taking part in quick a defenseman after Connor Clifton was ejected for an early hit to the top of Nico Hischier, the Sabres had been nonetheless tied 3-3 coming into the third interval.

That’s when Devils defenseman put a puck over the glass however didn’t get known as for delay of recreation. Moments later, Luukkonen received known as for delay of recreation, and Granato was livid. Hughes scored on the facility play that was simply the beginning of a 3rd interval during which the Sabres had been outshot 17-4. Nonetheless, Dylan Cozens managed to tie the sport late with an odd-angle purpose to make it 4-4 earlier than Haula received the game-winner. Even the game-winner was a bizarre bounce. The play began as a result of a puck hit the lineman within the impartial zone and induced a turnover to get the Devils began within the offensive zone.

“You will be annoyed with that and you may hear in my voice there may be frustration, however the factor you want to deal with is extra consistency,” Granato mentioned. “We’ve got to work to that initiative.”

Fast hits

1. The Sabres have now been outscored 14-5 in third durations this season. Even in two of their wins towards the Lightning and Senators, late targets made issues extra fascinating than they wanted to be. On Friday, the lopsided third interval is why Buffalo ended up developing simply quick towards the

2. Clifton is already scheduled for a listening to on Saturday for his hit on Hischier. There’s an opportunity he’ll get suspended, which might create one other roster want for Buffalo. Granato mentioned he’s certain there was no intent to injure on Clifton’s half. The play instantly sparked a battle that resulted in a 10-minute penalty from Ondrej Palat for instigating.

“The hit was a shot to the top,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff mentioned. “That’s one thing they’re attempting to eradicate. It’s one thing they’ve to check out. It was a harmful play in a recreation.”

The Sabres needed to skate with 5 defensemen for the remainder of the sport, and Dahlin completed with greater than 26 minutes of ice time. Owen Energy and Mattias Samuelsson each logged greater than 23 minutes of ice time as nicely.

3. All 5 of the targets the Sabres allowed got here on high-danger probabilities. Comrie had a .600 save proportion on 5 high-danger photographs towards and Luukkonen had a .500 save proportion on six high-danger photographs towards. In the meantime, Devils goalie Vitek Vanecek wasn’t excellent on this recreation however stopped 9 of the Sabres’ high-danger photographs. That proved to be a distinction maker.

What’s subsequent? The Sabres head residence to play the Avalanche on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The accidents to Comrie and Levi together with Clifton’s suspension listening to are objects to observe heading into the weekend.

(Photograph: Vincent Carchietta / USA In the present day)


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