Buffalo Sabres goalie Chad Johnson (31) makes a save on a shot by Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, November 10, 2015, in Tampa, Fla.
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While Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper denied Andrei Vasilevskiy’s numbers against the Sabres had anything to do with his decision to again play his backup tonight – an assertion no one believes – Buffalo coach Dan Bylsma was open today about how recent history enters his mind. Right from the start of this game, the Sabres were a force to be reckoned with. The Lightning managed only five shots despite having two power plays in the first.
Johnson made a full-out diving save across the crease to take a goal away from Nikita Kucherov in the second.
Washington had won two straight, scoring a total of seven goals in those games, and was shut out for the first time in almost a month. The under is 4-0-1 in Lightning last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game and the Lightning are 0-5 in their last 5 Tuesday games while the under is 6-1-1 in Lightning last 8 overall.
Detroit didn’t let Washington get a puck past Mrazek, who had his first shutout of the season and the sixth of his career.
The Lightning play six of their next seven games at Amalie Arena after starting the season with 11 of their first 16 on the road.
“Who’s going to give us the best chance to win and who’s been down there gaming it out for Syracuse and deserves to come up?”
“For us really, it’s looking more at the past history this season”, Bylsma said.
Vasilevskiy lost his stick twice during the second, but the Sabres were unable to capitalize. “I’m going to blame the agents”, he said.
“Teams go through funks like this, you have to stop it before it gets too big and before you dig yourself too big of a hole”, Stamkos said.
Wild 5, Jets 3 – In St. Paul, Thomas Vanek scored twice during a four-goal frenzy in the second period to pave the way to victory for Minnesota. Cooper said they’ll have a different journey this time, and it’s certainly going to be more hard after Tampa Bay fell under.500.
However, his team didn’t do him any favors as they played with a lack of energy that showed for most of the game.
Panthers 4, Flames 3 – Jaromir Jagr scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period and Florida beat visiting Calgary to snap a five-game losing streak.
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The Sabres also mentioned that Weber will not be in the lineup tonight after leaving the ice early today with a lower body injury.
