WGR

‘The Sabres coughed up a 2-0 first period lead, and ended up suffering their first regulation loss of the year on Wednesday by a 5-2 score against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center.’

‘I have to admit, I never would’ve guessed when the game was 2-0 that Buffalo would give up five straight goals. There was really only one that Ullmark should’ve had, but there never should’ve been a shot as Rodrigues was next to the Anaheim player, but never covered him.’

‘Sabres D Brandon Montour has missed the first six regular season games for Buffalo dealing with a hand injury, while former Sabres defenseman Brendan Guhle has been out the last two games for Anaheim with a lower-body injury.’

‘The Sabres practiced in Anaheim on Tuesday. Sabres.com reported that Conor Sheary was back at practice. Instead of being week-to-week he was updated to day-to-day. The Sabres say Sheary was an extra on the line rushes.’

‘The Sabres turned up the pace in the third period. They dominated the puck and netted two more goals. Vladimir Sobotka feathered a pass to Jeff Skinner on a 2-on-1 that Skinner buried to make it 3-0. Shortly after Marcus Johansson let a rocket go from the point that found the top corner.’

‘I think this was a very solid game for the Sabres in all three zones. They never backed down from a bigger team and initiated the contact. I realize Dallas has had a poor start to the season, but to me that takes nothing away from the game the Sabres played.’

‘“It was a 1-0 lead and we have better players in our D-zone, so that’s how it is.”’

‘Later, the Sabres were seconds from closing out the victory in their home barn, but the Panthers had other ideas. With Bobrovsky pulled for the final minute-plus of regulation, Florida went to work in Buffalo’s defensive end and found twine with 11-seconds left in the contest. Sniper Mike Hoffman buried a wrist shot above Ullmark’s left shoulder and under the bar, and suddenly the game was even at two goals apiece with overtime looming.’

‘Another positive sign I took out of this game is Casey Mittelstadt’s line had some good offensive chances for the first time all season. Mittelstadt along with Jimmy Vesey and Evan Rodrigues really dug in and got some pucks to the net.’

‘”We understood when we signed Johansson that we’d be close to the cap. We certainly want to have the ability to add to our team. So many of the top teams are right up against it. It’ll come into it a lot from a trade perspective.”‘