Buffalo Sabres Plunge Into Darkness: 13 Games Without a Win!

Morgan Geekie netted a decisive, power-play goal with 1:45 remaining in regulation, leading the Boston Bruins to a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, marking the team’s 13th straight defeat.

Following a home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, the Sabres should have been the more fatigued team, yet they dominated play against the Bruins at times, particularly in the second period. Nevertheless, Buffalo was unable to avert yet another defeat in a losing streak that is overshadowing what had been a promising start to the season.

This represents the third-longest winless streak in a single season for the Sabres in franchise history, according to ESPN Research, falling behind the 18-game streak in 2020-21 and a 14-game streak in 2014-15. The Sabres will aim to halt this downturn on Monday when they face off against the New York Islanders.

“I believed we deserved more,” Buffalo’s coach Lindy Ruff remarked following the defeat. “We just didn’t make that next play offensively. But when things are going poorly, they tend to spiral.”

Charlie Coyle opened the scoring with a goal in the first period, while Brad Marchand sealed the game with an empty-net goal for the Bruins, who improved to 10-4-1 under interim coach Joe Sacco.

JJ Peterka found the net for Buffalo, which is experiencing its worst run since establishing a franchise-record 18-game losing streak (0-15-3) in 2021. The Sabres have not celebrated a win since their triumph over San Jose on Nov. 23.

As a power play was about to conclude, Geekie launched a one-timer from the slot to score the winning goal.

Coyle emerged from the penalty box after serving his minor for hooking. He received a clearing pass from Nikita Zadorov and went in on a breakaway. James Reimer made a stop with his left skate, but while on his back, Coyle managed to poke the puck in. Reimer saved 16 shots.

Peterka scored against Joonas Korpisalo over the right shoulder with a wrist shot to level the score at 1-1 late in the second period. Korpisalo recorded 19 saves.

“If you examine how we managed the puck and the details of the game, the power play was effective,” Ruff summarized the performance. “As I mentioned, we deserved more.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.