The new season didn't get off to the start the Buffalo Sabres wanted. After dropping the opener of the 2024 NHL Global Series in Prague, Czechia, on Friday, they'll look to rebound in the rematch against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
The Devils went up 2-0 in the first period and held a 3-0 lead by early in the second. Buffalo scored its only goal midway through the third.
"We've got to be better, that's it," Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin said. "We need to take care of the puck and stay on top of our opponents."
After a strong training camp in which Buffalo showed it had quickly bought into new coach Lindy Ruff's system, the team struggled early in the opener Friday.
"I thought it looked like we had some guys that were nervous," Ruff said. "Our puck play wasn't as crisp. I thought as the game started going, our puck play was a lot better. But the start of the game, we didn't execute at a high enough level even to break some pucks out. That's the part that surprised me because our energy has been tremendous."
The Sabres' power play, which ranked 29th in the NHL last season at a meager 16.3 percent, also struggled, often unable to gain the zone and set up to create pressure.
They went 0-for-4 with five shots on goal with the man advantage.
"There's 81 more games. We can't dwell on this one," Buffalo center Dylan Cozens said. "We've got a quick turnaround. ... We can't get down on ourselves, we can't get negative. We've got to just learn from it and stay positive. Everyone loses games."
Sabres forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel left the game midway through the second period with a lower-body injury. Ruff said he did not expect him to be available Saturday. If he's unable to play, the Sabres will turn to either Peyton Krebs, Jiri Kulich or Lukas Rousek.
The Devils, meanwhile, will look to sweep the back-to-back set and head back to North America with consecutive victories.
New Jersey capitalized on its chances against Buffalo as it displayed what new coach Sheldon Keefe wants from his group -- fast, physical, and strong on the forecheck.
And it wasn't just the skaters who delivered. Goalie Jacob Markstrom made 30 saves, including a highlight-reel paddle stop on Aube-Kubel with three minutes remaining in the first to preserve his team's 2-0 lead at the time.
"It gives us momentum," Devils captain Nico Hischier said. "He played really well. It's so good seeing him so confident back there. Great to have him."
Markstrom, acquired from the Calgary Flames in an offseason trade, provides stability in net that the Devils have lacked over the past few years. It's unknown whether he'll go again Saturday or cede to backup Jake Allen.
Markstrom also wasn't the only newcomer to make a strong first impression Friday. Defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic, acquired from the Montreal Canadiens, and forward Paul Cotter, from the Vegas Golden Knights, each had a goal and an assist.
"For sure, he's one of the guys working really hard and he's taken advantage of this opportunity," Keefe said of Kovacevic. "And yes, we want the defense to be involved, too."
