3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 5-2 Loss to the Utah Hockey Club

Given the fact that the Buffalo Sabres have not made the playoffs in 13 seasons, it’s almost impressive that this could qualify as a season from hell. Yet here we are, on the verge of a 14^th consecutive playoff-less season, and things just keep getting worse.

After beating a struggling Boston Bruins team, the Sabres faced off with the Utah Hockey Club, and things could not have gone worse. They not only lost 5-2, but had an own goal in the process. There are some takeaways here, so let’s get into them as we limp to the season finale.

Third-Period-Play Needs an Overhaul

This was a game until the final six minutes. The Sabres tied things up on Ryan McLeod’s 16^th of the season, a shorthanded goal, just over a minute into the third. Things were tight for a while until Dylan Guenther scored the eventual game-winner with just under six minutes to go.

We’re not going to talk about the own goal empty netter because it speaks for itself. What needs to be discussed is the fact that this team cannot do anything positive in the third period of close games. They wither under the pressure every single time.

Part of it has to do with the youth of this team. Part of it has to do with the lack of a clear, galvanizing leader. Whatever the case may be, the Sabres need to find a solution to their third-period woes. Cut the blown leads in half and this is a playoff team, yet here we are.

J.J. Peterka Needs to Be a Priority

In the wake of the Dylan Cozens trade, everyone is talking about other Sabres that will potentially be moved only to thrive elsewhere. One of the names that has come up frequently is pending restricted free agent J.J. Peterka. But moving on from him would be a massive mistake.

Related: NHL Rumors: Dahlin, Sabres, Rempe, Rangers, Canadiens

It’s hard to ask more out of the 23-year-old winger. In his third full season, he has already set a career-high in assists (32) and points (52) with 20 fewer games played than last season. He has been one of the more consistent forwards on the Sabres and his future is bright.

Amidst the turmoil of this team, there have been rumors of the team moving on from guys like Peterka and Alex Tuch. Those are two of the most consistent players on this team, and both should be foundational pieces going forward. We haven’t seen his best hockey yet, and what we have seen has already been good.

This Team Desperately Needs Veteran Leadership

One of the things that jumps out most when talking about the woes of this team is its youth. Coming into the season, the Sabres were among the handful of the youngest teams in the league, and that kind of immaturity has reared its head several times this season.

With respect to Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin, there are no galvanizing leaders on this team. Everyone else is trying to learn their way and maximize their potential at the same time. There needs to be an impactful veteran leader. Respectfully, guys like Kyle Okposo and Jason Zucker are fine, but they can’t lead the team on and off the ice.

The unfortunate thing is that players like that don’t grow on trees. That kind of leadership has to come from within. Veteran additions can help, depending on who they are and what they do. That said, it is up to this core to figure things out and that isn’t always the best thing.

What’s Next?

There is nothing positive to come from the remainder of this season unless the Sabres end it on a tear. Just when they gather a bit of momentum, they have an embarrassing outing. Beating the Bruins is fine, but not when an own goal that kills a comeback effort follows it up.

Getting good individual finishes from key guys is the only thing left. These guys need to finish the season with as much positive momentum as possible even if the team as a whole is floundering. That’s all there is to look forward to as a Sabres fan.