3 Sabres most to blame for Game 2 loss to Canadiens

The Buffalo Sabres earned home-ice advantage in their first two playoff series. It has not proved to be much of an edge to this point.

They lost two of three home games to the Boston Bruins in the first round, and that could have proved to be disastrous if they did not go 3-0 at TD Garden in Boston. They started their second-round series at home against the Montreal Canadiens, and after registering a 4-2 victory in the series opener, they got pummeled 5-1 at home in Game 2 against the Habs.

The two teams go to Montreal for Game 3 on Sunday, and that may be just what the Sabres need to get their game untracked. The Canadiens were the faster skating and sharper team in Game 2, and they beat the hosts to loose pucks throughout the game. Montreal was able to get the jump on the Sabres with two goals within the first five minutes and they were able to use that edge to play with confidence and efficiency throughout the game.

Head coach Lindy Ruff could not get his charges on track at any point in the game. The Canadiens were able to stretch the lead to 3-0 when Alex Newhook scored a hustle goal by beating goaltender Alex Lyon with a short shot as he got his stick down to accept a pass from Jake Evans for his second marker of the game. Star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin appeared to be in a perfect position to shut down the play, but Newhook won the battle

The Sabres got a temporary reprieve when Zach Benson scored later in the second period to draw the Sabres within 3-1, but his teammates were unable to pick up the baton and join the battle.

The Sabres expected their stars to get the job done, but they struggled in Game 2.

Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are supposed to score big-time goals

The Sabres earned their status during the regular season because they had a couple of team leaders in Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch who came through time after time with big goals and key plays.

Thompson is a big man at 6-6 and 220 pounds who has been able to use his size, skating ability, vicious shot and surprising agility to lead the team. He scored 40 goals during the regular season and when he winds up to take his slap shot, it is one of the most intimidating sights in the NHL.

Thompson started the playoffs like he was going to make a run at the Conn Smythe Trophy because he scored two goals in the Sabres’ comeback victory over the Bruins in Game 1 of the opening series. Buffalo trailed 2-0 late in the third period when Thompson scored on a backhand shot and later added another marker to lead their late surge that resulted in a 4-3 victory.

However, he has not gotten on the scoreboard since then. He has added five assists, but he has not been able to find the back of the net. He was nearly invisible in Game 2 against the Canadiens. Thompson registered just one shot in the game and his play was indecisive.

He was also on ice for four Montreal goals as he appeared to be out of position at several points in the game. The Sabres need much more from Thompson in Game 3. He is clearly pressing as he tries to find a way to put the puck in the net, but he needs to relax, unleash his vicious shot and put his frustrations behind him.

Tuch is clearly another dominant player for the Sabres, and he was far more visible in Game 2 than Thompson. He registered seven shots on goal, but none of them were able to beat Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes. Tuch finished the game with a minus-3 rating.

Ruff and the Sabres might be able to get by if Thompson or Tuch has a below average game — but not both of them. His stars have to respond in Game 3 and beyond.

Lyon’s hot streak came to an end

Alex Lyon got the call from Ruff to start Game 3 against the Bruins in the first round. He was under tremendous pressure since Boston had recorded a win in Buffalo in Game 2 and he responded with a 3-1 victory. Lyon helped the Sabres secure the victory in the series and he looked good in the opener vs. the Canadiens.

He was not impressive in Game 2 of the series. He allowed Newhook and Mike Matheson to score early in the first period for the Canadiens. While neither of those goals resulted from huge mistakes by the goaltender, he was not as sharp as he had been in his earlier playoff games.

The Habs scored four goals on 27 shots and the majority of those goals came because the Canadiens were the faster team, but top goaltenders have to come through in the playoffs when their teammates are not at their best. They also added an empty-net goal.

The Sabres need a sharp goaltending effort in Game 3 if they are going to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

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