Sharks Fall in Disappointing Loss to Sabres

The San Jose Sharks fell to the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 on Friday night in a disappointing performance. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

One would assume that a contending team like the San Jose Sharks would take advantage of the team with the worst record in the NHL in the Buffalo Sabres. Add in the fact that the Sabres dealt away their star goaltender Ryan Miller just before opening faceoff and one would assume that the Sabres would have no chance.

Don’t tell that to Jhonas Enroth, the Sabres’ backup goaltender, who made 36 saves on 38 shots as the Sharks fell to the Sabres 4-2 in Buffalo on Friday night.

As is the case in many of the Sharks’ losses, they pepper the net with shots and just happen to run into a hot goaltender, while their own goaltender gives up a few cheap goals.

That came to fruition on Friday, as Antti Niemi only faced 19 shots, but let in three goals (one was an empty-netter). The first Sabres’ goal was scored by Cody Hodgson, who surprised Niemi with a quick shot on the power play, but it was a stoppable shot. Then in the third, with the game tied 1-1, Brian Flynn fired a shot past Niemi right off the faceoff. Matt Moulson gave Buffalo a much-needed insurance goal, finishing right in front of the net off of a great feed by Tyler Myers.

Myers would score an empty net goal to put the game away, after the Sharks had closed the gap to 3-2 on a Patrick Marleau goal. The other Sharks’ goal was scored by James Sheppard in the second, putting it in on a bounce off the boards after a tough shift by the fourth line to tie the game up.

Tale of the Tape

Sharks:

• Shots on goal: 38
• Power play: 0-for-2
• Hits: 11
• Giveaways: 5
• Takeaways: 1
• Faceoffs won: 28

Sabres:

• Shots on goal: 10
• Power play: 1-for-2
• Hits: 14
• Giveaways: 3
• Takeaways: 8
• Faceoffs won: 34

Quotable

"We knew they’d be ready. We had our chances to score early and we didn’t, fell behind, climbed back and just didn’t turn the corner like we needed to.– Joe Pavelski"

Good to Know

Yep, the Sharks have not beaten the Sabres in four years and counting.

What’s on Tap

The Sharks’ three-game road trip ends in New Jersey when they take on the Devils on Sunday afternoon.