Sabres Keep Improving Their Draft Lottery Odds

"We got screwed."  Buffalo Sabres coach Phil Housley said it at least four times following a 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators.  I agree.  They did.  Twice, by bad officiating calls.

The first one came on Nashville's first goal when it was deflected by a high stick into the net.  That one looked obvious, but the clowns in Toronto must have been busy with more important games to get a call right.  They allowed the goal to stand.  Screwed once.

Then later Connor Sheary scored on a delayed penalty to Nashville, but the goal was wiped out because the referee said the Predators had touched the puck before Sheary scored.  They didn't touch the puck.  Screwed twice.

But when you're having the kind of season the Sabres are having things never seem to go your way.  Even on a night when they played well.  They really did.  And they deserved better than to have the game to be decided on a couple of bad calls.

Kyle Okposo and Jeff Skinner scored the Buffalo goals.  The game was tied 2-2 at the end of the second period, but the Predators scored early in the third and held on the rest of the way.

After the game goaltender Carter Hutton said there are no moral victories.  He wants to win.  He and the rest of the team played well enough to do that but it's the Sabres eighth straight loss and 14th in the last 15 games.

Here's another embarrassing stat; Nashville has won eight straight games in Buffalo.  What home advantage?

On the bright side if you can consider it that, the Sabres chances of landing one of the top three draft picks keep improving.  Only New Jersey and Ottawa are below them in the league standings.  The draft lottery will be held next Tuesday in Toronto.

The Sabres play one more game at home Thursday night on Fan Appreciation Night against Ottawa.