BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A show of support from team owner Terry Pegula did little to lift the Sabres out of their doldrums.
Buffalo bottomed out in the conference standings and extended its inglorious skid Tuesday night night in Montreal, losing 6-1 against a Canadiens team that was previously skating in the East cellar.
Winless in 11 games since hovering around playoff position, the Sabres have plummeted to an 11-17-4 record, with nearly twice as many losses as victories, and better odds now of winning the draft lottery than ending the longest postseason absence in NHL history.
The pitiful performance came after Pegula gave a pep talk to players, coach Lindy Ruff, and general manager Kevyn Adams in an impromptu meeting Monday.
“That was incredible what he did — showed up,” Ruff said following Tuesday's morning skate. “Terry cares. He’s passionate about what’s happening here, and for him to take the time to come here, it meant a lot to everybody. I thought it was great. I think any time the owner cares that much to come in, it sends a message that resonates throughout the locker room.”
"It was important,” forward Dylan Cozens said before scoring Buffalo's only goal Tuesday night. “For him to come down here and talk to us, it means a lot. He cares a lot about this team. He cares a lot about the success of this team.”
Pegula's visit inspired the Sabres to a first period in which they put just three shots on goal in falling behind 2-0, and a second period allowing four more goals, including two on the same penalty kill within 1:10.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 15 of 21 shots he faced before getting benched after the first period. James Reimer made six saves in relief.
The Sabres went scoreless on five power plays while committing six penalties that turned into three goals for the Habs.
Buffalo's 11-game winless streak (0-8-3) is the fifth longest in franchise history.
The Sabres return home to practice Thursday and host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night.
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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.
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