Sabres Cough Up Lead, Lose Two to Devils in Prague

The Buffalo Sabres dropped both games against the New Jersey Devils to open the season in Prague, Czechia. It was not the start to the season Buffalo wanted, especially considering the strong training camp and preseason the team had. The 3-1 loss brought a mix of positives and negatives, as the Sabres have a long season ahead to course-correct their game.

It took until the second period for the Sabres to start the scoring, with Tage Thompson finding a way to poke the puck by Jake Allen in a scurry in front of the Devils net. Rookie defenseman Seamus Casey responded on the powerplay for New Jersey nearly four minutes later for the first goal of his NHL career.

Things broke open for the Devils in the third period, as Paul Cotter and Timo Meier scored rush goals to pull New Jersey ahead for the victory.

Thompson, Tuch Respond

As good players do, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch responded well Saturday after a pedestrian opener against the Devils. Linemate JJ Peterka left the game with an upper-body injury after a nasty open-ice hit from Brendan Dillon, and Tuch immediately stepped up and challenged the Devils defender to a fight.

Later in the game, an errant puck found its way from Tuch’s stick to Thompson’s as the Sabres center pushed it past Jake Allen and into the net.

The splash moments are what you’ve come to expect from Buffalo’s top two forwards. The way they controlled the play, winning the shot attempt and shot quality battle, was even more encouraging. The Devils had the last change on Saturday as the designated “home” team, and the duo still dominated the matchups without their usual left winger to help them.

Related: Thompson, Tuch Grade Poorly in Sabres Opener Versus Devils

Levi Very Strong in Net

When the Sabres signed veteran James Reimer in the offseason, many fans wondered what that meant for top prospect Devon Levi this season. The Sabres organization endorsed Levi as the team’s backup from day one of training camp, and Levi has not disappointed.

According to Evolving-Hockey, the 22-year-old netminder posted a 1.22 goals saved above expected number on 28 shots heading into the third period. His play kept the Sabres in a game that could’ve gotten away from them early. The Devils’ stars had prime opportunities, whether it was a Jesper Bratt breakaway or Jack Hughes cutting across the net, that Levi denied.

One of his biggest saves, a good read on a Hughes and Bratt two-on-one, led to the Thompson goal on the off of the ensuing rush the other way. The Devils eventually broke through, but Levi was easily Buffalo’s best player on Saturday.

Levi’s college, AHL, and NHL numbers in recent history project him to be a starting-caliber goalie in the NHL as soon as this season. Incumbent starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was okay, not great, in the season opener. If Levi continues to make the most of his opportunities, he could steal more starts than expected from Luukkonen this season.

More Levi: How Devon Levi Plays Into Luukkonen Contract Negotiations

Too Many Turnovers

The Sabres were very sloppy in game one in Prague, and game two was not much better. Head coach Lindy Ruff has emphasized clean zone exits to help generate speed through the neutral zone, but the miscommunication between the defense and wingers has led to too many turnovers.

Pucks passed into the feet and other mental errors also cost Buffalo going the other way, as the Devils forced the Sabres into playing their game in the mini-series. New Jersey countered with way too many odd-man rushes on Saturday, which put more onus on Levi to bail them out.

Over time, that is not a formula for success. The Devils eventually solved Levi, and it propelled them to the win. Buffalo has to be much cleaner in transition, creating better offensive opportunities and making things easier on their defenders.

What’s Next

The Sabres head home, with some time to prepare for their next game on October 10th. The Los Angeles Kings are their next opponent, as Buffalo will continue to test the new group.