Buffalo Sabres 3-Game Winning Streak Ends In Dallas

After three straight exciting overtime victories the Buffalo Sabres put in one their worst efforts in quite a while on Thursday night in Dallas.  The Sabres managed only nine shots in the first two periods until they began to play like they meant it in the third period.  But strangely all of their scoring came during those first two periods in a 4-3 loss to the Stars.

As badly as the Sabres played the officiating was worse.  The Sabres were whistled for five penalties against only two to the Stars, but some of those calls were as chintzy as you can get while some obvious calls weren't made.  And all three video replays in the game went against the Sabres; an apparent offside by the Stars that led to a goal and two plays where the Sabres came ever so close to scoring but in both cases it was determined the puck never crossed the goal line.

Evander Kane and Brian Gionta gave the Sabres an early 2-0 lead, but the Stars responded with four straight including one where Sabres defenseman Cody Franson deflected the puck into his own net for what turned out to be the winning goal.  Kane scored his second of the night to make if 4-3 at the end of the second period.  And that's the way the game ended despite some great chances by the Sabres in the third period.

After the game ended and the players left the ice the officials were still looking at video of a shot by Sam Reinhart that depending on how you look at it may or may not have crossed the goal line.  The officials declared it had not and the final score stood.

Except for Kyle Okposo who will represent the Sabres during All-Star events in Los Angeles the rest of the team has the weekend off.  The Sabres resume play next Tuesday night in Montreal.