BOSTON (AP) — Buffalo’s inability to dominate Boston physically on the ice has become a secondary concern compared to their struggles capitalizing on power play opportunities when the Bruins commit penalties.
Through the opening two contests of their playoff matchup with Boston, the Sabres have failed to convert on all nine man-advantage situations, extending a troubling trend that saw them go scoreless on their final 22 power plays during the regular season’s closing seven games. The series stands even at one game apiece as action moves to Boston for Thursday evening’s third game.
“It’s always a concern, for sure,” Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged, noting his team hasn’t celebrated a power-play goal since March. “I think we’ll have to tweak some things.”
Buffalo entered this series taking exception to comments from Bruins coach Marco Sturm about his team’s physical superiority. Tuesday’s contest featured multiple altercations and accumulated 94 combined penalty minutes, with neither squad backing down from the confrontation.
“It’s a seven-game series so you see those guys all the time and there’s game inside the game, obviously,” Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov explained. “Emotions are really high, everybody wants to win, everybody is competitive on the ice, so sometimes you just ended up in the scrums and the fights like that.”
Ruff hasn’t dismissed the possibility of making a goaltending switch after pulling Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen just 16 seconds into Game 2’s final period following the fourth goal against him — including one scored on a long dump-in from center ice. Relief goaltender Alex Lyon successfully turned away all seven shots he encountered afterward.
While both netminders split starting duties during the regular season, Luukkonen secured the primary role by posting a 12-2-1 record to close the campaign. Lyon missed the season’s final week due to an undisclosed lower-body ailment after compiling a 20-10-4 record.
Though Ruff declined to pin Game 2’s defeat solely on Luukkonen’s inconsistent performance, stating “we win together, we lose together,” he also noted that “(Lyon) may play next game.”
Buffalo’s slow starts have compounded their difficulties, falling behind 2-0 in the opener and 4-0 in Game 2, managing their first goals only in each contest’s final eight minutes. They mounted a successful 4-3 comeback in Game 1 but couldn’t overcome their deficit in the 4-2 Game 2 loss.
“It’s been two games. It’s nothing to freak out about, and we know that,” forward Zach Benson said. “And we know we’ve got to be better, and we will be.”
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.
In other playoff action, the Carolina Hurricanes hold a 2-0 series advantage over Ottawa, with the Senators showing strength in faceoff wins (60.7% through two games) and goaltending from Linus Ullmark. Carolina forward Logan Stankoven acknowledged their faceoff struggles, saying “Obviously our percentage isn’t great. I’ve got to try and keep winning as many draws and stay in the battle as much as possible.”
The Colorado Avalanche also lead their series 2-0 against Los Angeles, with the Kings remaining optimistic despite the deficit. “Play the same way we’re playing, just a little harder,” Kings forward Trevor Moore said. “Just try to take the positives and get to LA and play a good game.”
