Tuesday, 4 a.m.
For a decade, the Buffalo Sabres have been a dead franchise. Doing nothing. Going nowhere.
For two years, the Tampa Bay Lightning has been excellent. Two titles. Lots of confetti.
So how do you explain the latest misstep by the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team going in the wrong direction in the NHL's early season.
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The Lightning lost again Monday night, getting drubbed by a rebuilding Sabres team in a 5-1 game. The Bolts have won only twice in six games, and in four of them, they've scored two goals or fewer.
Buffalo had lost to Tampa Bay for seven straight games.
"It’s basics," said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. "You have the puck that much.... we had 35 shots, but we should have had 50. We gave them up. You have to be hungry around the net. Our urgency just was’t there. You’ve got to be ready to shoot at all times."
Alex Killorn tied the game at 1-1 in the first period, but turnovers haunted the Bolts.
"Anytime you see two unassisted goals, you probably did something where you gave it to them," Cooper said, "and we did on the second amd third goal,"
The Bolts started backup goalie Brian Elliott in net, who gave up three goals. Two were empty-netters.
The Bolts, who still have not had a lead in regulation this season, now travel to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins. Pittsburgh beat the Bolts 6-2 earlier this season.