BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Sabres' goals-against average rose sharply with consecutive road losses this week.
Buffalo's 6-4 defeat on Thursday night at Columbus followed a 6-5 overtime loss in Pittsburgh the night before. The dozen goals allowed equals what the Sabres let in over four games in starting the season 1-3-0 under returning coach Lindy Ruff.
The Sabres' highest goals-against average in a single season was 3.76 in 1986-87, when Ruff was a team captain. Their highest with Ruff as coach was 2.98 in the 2007-08 season. Buffalo gave up six or more goals in 59 of the 1,165 games Ruff coached in his previous 15-year stint as coach. Only once before, in March, 2000, had teams scored six in consecutive games against a Sabres team coached by Ruff.
Under previous coach Don Granato, the Sabres gave up six goals or more 30 times in 274 games, and once in consecutive outings.
Unlike the loss in Pittsburgh when Buffalo gave up the lead twice, the Sabres (1-4-1) never got out in front against the Blue Jackets, falling behind 2-0 in the opening 20 minutes. It was the second time in six games the Sabres have allowed multiple goals in the first period. Last season, the Sabres did so 29 times, and had a 7-21-1 record in those contests.
Six different Columbus players scored as Sabres goalie Devon Levi stopped 19 of 25 shots. Levi's .740 save percentage was his second-lowest in 31 career starts. Levi entered Thursday night's game with a .919 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average in splitting his two previous starts this season.
Sabres rookie winger Juri Kulich got his first NHL point when he tipped in a goal to trim Columbus' lead to 3-2 with 2:31 remaining in the second period. JJ Peterka got his third goal of the season, Ryan McLeod and defenseman Owen Power also scored, but Buffalo never got a tying tally.
Buffalo's power play continued to struggle, going 0 for 2, and is now scoreless in 17 opportunities this season.
The Sabres conclude their road trip Saturday night in Chicago.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.