VANCOUVER – When the Sabres left Buffalo on Saturday, they were 3-0-1 in a four-game stretch and headed west to play three supremely struggling teams. It looked like a real chance to make a bigger dent in the standings, push over .500 and continue their upward climb.
It hasn't happened. For the second time in two nights, the Sabres scored first but got no traction from their early lead. The Vancouver Canucks, the subject of plenty of ridicule from their home fans and media, found their game midway through the first period and pulled away for a 5-2 win over Buffalo in Rogers Arena.