Jeff Skinner scored twice Tuesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres lose aggression, fall to Sharks; Victor Olofsson close to returning

As the Buffalo Sabres roared out to a surprising start this season, they established a simple, straightforward identity by playing so aggressively.

Given their lack of star power, that style has become their bread and butter. If they get away from it, well, losses like Tuesday’s 5-3 setback to the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center will happen.

The Sabres faced a Sharks team ravaged by COVID-19 and ripe to be exploited. Seven players and coach Bob Boughner are on the protocol-related absences list. The Sharks had to recall five players Saturday just to field a lineup.

But the Sabres, coach Don Granato said, did not possess the right mindset Tuesday.

“We didn’t play aggressive, we didn’t play assertive,” Granato said on a Zoom call. “That game was right there for the taking and we just didn’t play aggressive, the way we want to play. Assertive, the way we want to play. We didn’t play to our identity.

“So a really big learning lesson because that was a very winnable game. We could have taken charge of a lot of situations that we were too passive in. We had a room of competitive guys that didn’t compete hard enough and that should burn a little bit for a couple days here.”

Sabres winger Jeff Skinner said: “We have to get back to being more aggressive. Obviously, we know what they’re going through. They’re going through a lot of adversity and a lot of guys probably excited to get the opportunity. I mean, we knew they were going to come out hard.”

The Sabres were bound to hit a rut, and right now, having lost two consecutive games, they’re experiencing their first slump this season.

In winning four out of five early home games, the Sabres fed off the energy the 7,000 or so loud spectators inside KeyBank Center created. On the road, of course, they must adjust to a different environment.

“It’s different,” Granato said. “And you give something easy to the other team, it’s more than giving it to the other team, you’re giving it to 18,000 people who get excited and adrenaline in the building.”

Despite their struggles, the Sabres hung around Tuesday. After Jonathan Dahlen’s early goal, Skinner answered, scoring from high in the slot after the Sabres nifty work by the Sabres holding the puck during a delayed penalty.

Goals by Ryan Merkley and Tomas Hertl put the Sharks up 3-1 before Sabres winger Drake Caggiula scored.

Skinner scored again late, banking the puck off goalie James Reimer’s back. His first two-goal game since April 9, 2019 was about the Sabres’ only bright spot.

“He certainly was more aggressive tonight,” Granato said of Skinner. “He was adamant on the bench, he was one of the few guys that were really competitive through the whole game. I was looking to get him out there obviously as much as I could late.”

The Sabres, who also lost 3-2 on Sunday afternoon to the Los Angeles Kings, close their four-game road trip Thursday against the expansion Seattle Kraken.

Granato said leading scorer Victor Olofsson, who missed Tuesday’s game with a soft tissue injury, will be examined today and could return against Seattle.

“We held him out tonight in hopes that he’s back to normal on Thursday potentially,” he said.

With Olofsson out, Skinner moved to left wing beside center Tage Thompson while Rasmus Asplund shifted from left wing to Olofsson’s spot on the right.

One thought on “Sabres lose aggression, fall to Sharks; Victor Olofsson close to returning”

  1. GOT TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO HOLD BACK ON AGGRESSIVENESS ! ANY DIMINISHMENT IN AGGRESSIVE DESIRE TO WIN AT ALL COSTS, WILL PROBABLY RESULT IN DEFEAT ! Shalom ! PIP

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