The Edmonton Oilers struggles continued Friday night as they were vastly outplayed and beaten 3-1 by the Buffalo Sabres.
“We lacked any type of pace in our game,” head coach Todd McLellan said. “When I look at the number of our shots that were deflected or tipped or blocked; you’ve got to give them credit for being in really good position, but also us for taking an extra second to get the shot off or find a rebound or keep a play alive. I thought they had a lot more sustaining power than we did tonight.”
The first period was scoreless, but the Oilers applied very little pressure. The Sabres had an 11-4 advantage in shots.
Buffalo carried the play in the second period and scored at 14:16 when Jacob Josefson’s shot beat Laurent Brossoit up high.
READ MORE: Brossoit starts in goal for Edmonton Oilers in Buffalo
Brossoit, starting in place of an ill Cam Talbot, was playing well, but then surrendered a weak goal 43 seconds into the third. Jack Eichel’s long wrist shot from the right wing snuck between Brossoit’s arm and body to make it 2-0 Buffalo.
Kyle Okposo added an empty netter in the final minute. Yohann Auvitu spoiled Robin Lehner’s shutout bid by scoring with 19.3 seconds left.
“The plan wasn’t to come in here and lose,” forward Mark Letestu said. “But I thought the effort was better, we played right to the end; you know get that goal to break a shutout. We’ve got to start something again on Sunday — that’s all it is. We’ve just got to get back to work and go at it.”
Defenceman Oscar Klefbom didn’t play because of an illness.
READ MORE: Connor McDavid deals with illness as Edmonton Oilers continue road trip
The Oilers, now 8-13-2, conclude their five-game road trip Sunday in Boston.
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