Although the Buffalo Sabres were coming off a rough loss to the New York Rangers the night prior, they still had the upper hand heading into Friday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings, who had started off the season on a high note, were on a six-game losing streak entering Friday’s tilt.
Still, none of that mattered once the puck hit the ice. The Sabres had a rough first period. They were doubled in shots, 12-6, lost 75 percent of the face-offs, and looked like a team playing the second half of a back-to-back and third game in four nights.