3 Takeaways from the Sabres’ 5-1 Game 2 Loss to the Canadiens

It would have been difficult for Buffalo Sabres fans and players to not be riding high in the wake of their Game 1 victory in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In what many expect to be a tough, long series, the Sabres delivered the all-important statement win in the opening game.

But most predicted this to be a seven-game series for a reason. The Canadiens came out in Game 2 and got on the Sabres early, delivering a statement of their own. When all was said and done, the Canadiens got the 5-1 win and send the series back to Montreal tied 1-1.

Tage Thompson Has to Be Better

The Sabres will be depending on different guys to ultimately propel them past Montreal and into the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2007. But one of the names they depend most upon is Tage Thompson and he simply was not good in Game 2.

In Game 1, Thompson acquitted himself well with a pair of assists. In Game 2, he was the polar opposite. With the Sabres trailing 3-1 early in the third period, Thompson committed a critical turnover at the Canadiens blue line, which was taken by Alexandre Carrier and turned into the Canadiens fourth goal. Thompson also turned the puck over in the neutral zone, leading to the Canadiens’ empty net goal.

It underscored a tough night for the Sabres where turnovers became prevalent. Against an explosive, dangerous Canadiens group, that isn’t something that can happen regularly if you hope to win. Thompson has to be better and he knows it.

Rasmus Dahlin, Too

The Sabres also need more out of their captain as well. Though players like Zach Benson have gotten a lot of attention, the team still runs through Dahlin. Through two games against the Canadiens, he hasn’t been quite the force we all hoped for.

In Game 2, one play stands out, in particular. Just under five minutes into the second period, the Sabres trailing 2-0, Jake Evans took the puck up the right wall. He found Alex Newhook streaking to the net, untouched by Dahlin, and buried it to make it 3-0.

Dahlin could have easily tied up Newhook’s stick but was distracted watching the puck. Dahlin is a world-class defenseman, and this is the type of mistake he can’t afford to make. The normally dependable defenseman was left staring in frustration and knows he can’t make mistakes like that.

The Power Play is Still a Massive Issue

Unfortunately, the two above names come into play with our third takeaway. After experiencing some success in Game 1 with the second unit, the top power play group once again struggled massively to make something happen.

The group went 0-for-5 against the Canadiens in Game 2, continuing the concerning trend of ineptitude from the power play in these playoffs. Zone entries are a noticeable problem, often getting stuffed at the blue line and turned the other way.

There is too much talent in this group to be struggling this badly. They need to find ways to get into the zone, get set up, and start causing chaos in front of the net. Anything other than what they are doing right now.

Shake It Off, Move on to Game 3

The Sabres got punched in the mouth early in Game 2 and never got off the matt. They had stretches where it looked like they might respond, but Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes was outstanding. It is going to be a long series.

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