The return of starting netminder Antti Raanta on Thursday was proof that goaltending was far from being the Coyotes’ only problem.
Raanta made some big saves to keep his team in the game early, but turnovers and a lack of defensive presence ultimately doomed the Coyotes in a 5-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at Gila River Arena.
Although the Coyotes showed some fight late in the third period, the Sabres took advantage of several odd-man rushes that spawned a four-goal unanswered stretch.
“The first period we’re in control, and then a goal with 0.9 seconds that two guys didn’t track,” Tocchet said.