The Buffalo Sabres keep working overtime to compile points.
During their last five outings, the Sabres won once in a shootout and earned an overtime-loss point in the other four games. They ran their overall point streak to seven games (3-0-4) in the process.
The Sabres will try to extend that run when they host the slumping St. Louis Blues on Thursday night. Buffalo would like to do it in regulation time after going into extra time in five straight games.
“It’s just how seasons go, and weird stuff happens,” Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon said. “It means that we’re competitive and we’re staying in there, and I almost hate to say that. But if we find a way to keep getting points, find a way to continue to stick around, that’s a good thing.
“I also think the next step is available for us where maybe we start to take over. But credit to guys, and (we) continued to battle all night (against Utah) with a tough lineup situation.”
Buffalo center Josh Norris will be sidelined for additional weeks with an upper-body injury, and playmaking winger Zach Benson is shelved by a lower-body injury. Forwards Jason Zucker (illness) landed on injured reserve, and Jiri Kulich (non-injury medical issue) also was out on Tuesday.
On the other hand, forward Tyson Kozak could return to action against the Blues. He has been sidelined since Oct. 24 due to a lower-body injury.
The Sabres’ health issues gave young forwards Noah Ostlund and Isak Rosen the opportunity to move up from AHL Rochester.
“We need their skill, we need their scoring ability that they’ve shown in the minors,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “This is the next step for them. This is the opportunity they’re waiting for. All of a sudden, they get 14, 15 minutes, and I think they’ve taken advantage of it. Both guys have played extremely well for us.”
The Sabres will catch St. Louis playing the second of back-to-back road games. The Blues fell 6-1 at Washington on Wednesday night, when Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 900th career goal.
“Well, this is unacceptable, it’s just that simple,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said after the loss.
The Blues believed they got back on track with a 3-2 home victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, but the Capitals dominated them from start to finish.
“If you don’t compete and battle, you’re going to get your butts kicked most nights,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said. “It’s happened way too many nights, over and over again. … That was as disappointing a loss as you can have after finally getting a win.”
The Blues are 1-6-2 in their past nine games.
“At the end of the day, a quick turnaround, you have to have a short memory in this league,” Schenn said. “We have to go to Buffalo and play for each other first and foremost. Start with that and hope the results come from that.”
The Blues started Jordan Binnington in goal against the Capitals, but Montgomery pulled him midway through the game after the 32-year-old veteran allowed four goals on 15 shots.
Joel Hofer relieved Binnington and allowed two goals on 17 shots. Normally Hofer would start on the second night of back-to-back games, but Montgomery could come back to Binnington.
–Field Level Media
