‘The Sabres have yet to win four games in a row this season. They’ve allowed a league-worst 90 goals in the first period and own a negative-33 goal differential in the opening frame of games. Too often, they fall behind, then allow early deficits to snowball into ugly losses. They’re still learning that a simple approach is needed on nights when they’re fatigued or not playing to their strengths. Buffalo went 3-9 on the second game of back-to-backs this season, and it owns a 13-27-4 record when allowing the first goal.’