Isak Rosen scored twice for the Buffalo Sabres, but the team was unable to hold off a third-period surge by the Utah Mammoth, resulting in a 5-2 defeat on Wednesday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The loss marks the Sabres’ third consecutive regulation defeat and extends their winless streak on the road to six games this season.
The Sabres led 2-0 after Rosen’s second goal early in the second period. However, Utah responded with five unanswered goals, including four in the final frame. Buffalo continues to play without several key players due to injuries.
“With the manpower we’re down, you build that lead, you’ve got to defend better,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “We didn’t defend well enough. We’re a better defending team than that.”
Goaltender Colten Ellis made his second NHL appearance for Buffalo and recorded 32 saves on 36 shots. Despite limited recent playing time, Ellis faced heavy pressure from Utah throughout the game.
“Not looking at any video or anything right now, I think the first two periods, especially, my reads were good,” Ellis said. “I was staying over pucks. I think the third period maybe got a little away from me for a short moment of time, and they made some good plays and capitalized.”
Alex Tuch praised Ellis’ performance: “He was unbelievable for us,” Tuch said of Ellis. “He was amazing, and the goals that did go in are really good goals. … There’s just stops that he didn’t even have a chance on because we just had breakdowns and gave up really bad opportunities.”
Utah outshot Buffalo 14-3 in the third period as they took control of play following Lawson Crouse’s go-ahead goal.
“I thought their team played well in the third period to just shut us down and stay in front of us, not give us any odd-man rushes, and they were chipping pucks out, especially once they got the lead,” Tuch said. “They came out flying in the third period, and we should’ve expected that, matched their intensity a little bit more and not allowed them back in the game so easily.”
Added Rosen: “We have to have a push there.”
Buffalo’s offense early came from its second line featuring Rosen alongside Noah Ostlund and Jack Quinn. Their chemistry produced both Sabres goals; Quinn set up Rosen’s first tally with an evasive move along the boards before finding him near the net. In the second period, Ostlund assisted on Rosen’s one-timer after entering Utah’s zone with speed.
“I think we’re finding each other pretty good out there,” Rosen said about his linemates Ostlund and Quinn. “Yeah, it was nice to score two, but it doesn’t matter now.”
Meanwhile, Buffalo’s top line struggled offensively during even-strength play.
“Our top line, we needed more out of them,” Ruff said.
Tuch acknowledged their lackluster performance: “It’s unacceptable,” he stated. “We’ve got to play with a little bit more pace, a lot more support. A lot more confidence too. We know that we can make plays; we just have to bear down and make them.”
The Sabres will continue their road trip Thursday night against league-leading Colorado Avalanche with puck drop scheduled for 9 p.m EST.
