Senators maintain control
It wasn't just game 35 of 82. Wednesday night meant more to the Sabres. That meant when they lost again to Ottawa, 5-3, it stung a little more.
"They ended up at the end of the night being a little bit better team," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.
The Sabres had their moments, especially in the second period as they took 10 of the first 11 shots. But they didn't play a complete period, and the Senators rolled to a 3-1 lead. A late Sabres rally couldn't change that.
Having a season-best six-game win streak end against their nemesis was tough for the Sabres because they really wanted to show the Eastern Conference's best team they were catching up to them. Now they're two points further behind.
The Senators, meanwhile, shrugged off the win. Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson were both asked about maintaining their dominance over a surging team. They refused to gloat, making it seem like they expected to win.
That attitude might make the Sabres feel worse.
---John Vogl
