The Buffalo Sabres suffered a 3-0 shutout loss to the St. Louis Blues at KeyBank Center on Thursday night, a performance that snapped their five-game point streak. Here are three key takeaways from the game:
1. Luukkonen's Struggles Continue
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who had a breakout season in 2023-24, has been struggling to find consistency. In three games this season, his save percentage is a concerning .877, a figure that, if it persists, would mark a new career low. The second goal allowed against the Blues, a shot by Nick Bjugstad, was particularly weak. While the Sabres only allowed 17 shots on goal, Luukkonen's inability to make key saves proved costly. Prior to the season, Luukkonen missed nearly a month due to injury.
2. Offensive Inefficiency and Power Play Woes
The Sabres' offense struggled mightily, failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities despite generating pressure in the offensive zone. They had 23 scoring chances but could not solve Blues' goaltender Joel Hofer, who made 27 saves to secure his first shutout of the season. Buffalo went 0-for-3 on the power play. The Sabres' power play has been an issue this season, with a success rate of just 17.8%. They’ve only managed one power-play goal in their last 15 opportunities. Injuries to key players like Zach Benson and Jason Zucker have impacted the power-play unit, but the lack of execution is still a major concern.
3. Blues' Goaltending and Opportunistic Scoring
Joel Hofer's performance was a major factor in the Blues' victory. He was sharp and held the Sabres scoreless, earning his third NHL shutout. Mathieu Joseph had a strong game, scoring a shorthanded goal and adding two assists. Nick Bjugstad also contributed with a goal, and Justin Faulk sealed the win with an empty-netter. The Blues were opportunistic, capitalizing on their chances despite being outshot by the Sabres. The Blues scratched their top-scoring forward, Jordan Kyrou, in an effort to shake things up.
Looking ahead, the Sabres will visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
